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Chris Begley chairman and chief executive officer of Hospira brings three decades of healthcare experience to the global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company. Spun off from Abbott Laboratories' core hospital products business in April 2004 Hospira is dedicated to developing manufacturing and marketing products that improve the safety and efficacy of patient care.
Begley drove the development of Hospira's strategy and growth plans and the creation of Hospira's guiding principles-the company's vision commitment statement and values. He plans to build on the company's 70-year history of service to the hospital industry by expanding Hospira's well rounded portfolio of products enhancing customer service improving profitability and increasing the company's international presence.
Begley's depth of experience in the healthcare industry and understanding of the challenges it faces has enabled him to lead major healthcare organizations through decades of change-from significant shifts in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement and healthcare management models to the adoption of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Code of Ethics.
He became president of Abbott's Hospital Products Division in 2000 and was responsible for all divisional operations including sales marketing manufacturing and distribution as well as establishing the future strategic direction for the business. Prior to that Begley was senior vice president of Abbott's Chemical and Agricultural Products Division (1999); vice president of AbbottHealthSystems (1998) which marketed all Abbott products to health system customers; and vice president of MediSense Inc. (1996) a global unit of Abbott Diagnostics Division. Begley joined Abbott in 1986 held various management positions in the company's hospital products business and was named divisional vice president and general manager hospital products business sector (1990). Before joining the company Begley was vice president of marketing for the V. Mueller Division of American Hospital Supply Corp.
He is a member of the boards of directors of Sara Lee Corporation the Healthcare Leadership Council the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) The Executives' Club of Chicago and AdvaMed; and a member of The Economic Club of Chicago and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club Foundation.
Born in Chicago in 1952 Begley earned a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and three children. | 