Christopher J. O'Connor
Results Orientated, Inspirational Leader
Christopher’s break-through contributions to the fields of healthcare supply chain operations and cost containment are well established. He started his career as a special education teacher in the Bronx. His supply chain career began on the staff of Mount Vernon Hospital, later becoming a consultant specializing in global supply chain projects in Europe, Latin America, and Africa for organizations such as USPS, the United Nations, and the Department of Homeland Security. Leveraging this foundational experience, Christopher joined the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) where he achieved roles of increasing responsibility to ultimately become the EVP of GNYHA Ventures and President and CEO of two of its hospital, health system, and long-term care businesses: Acurity and Nexera. He presided over a period of growth and innovation of both entities until they were sold to Premier, Inc. in 2020 for $300M.
Christopher J. O’Connor is an experienced CEO and nationally recognized healthcare entrepreneur, innovator, and thought leader. With more than three decades of global experience advising growth-oriented hospitals and health systems in strategic supply chain management, Christopher is known for his breakthrough contributions at the intersection of cost, quality, and outcomes (CQO) improvement. His crisis leadership was field-tested in the most challenging of situations, leading efforts to maintain Northeast hospital and health system supply chains through multiple crises including Superstorm Sandy and the Ebola and SARS outbreaks.
Acurity’s client base of 300+ hospitals and health systems represent $7 billion of purchasing volume. Under his leadership, clients realized extensive cost savings and enhancements to business processes in pharmacy services, purchasing, and contracting. Christopher founded Nexera to complement Acurity’s offerings and to provide strategic supply chain solutions to healthcare organizations seeking a better alignment of efforts related to cost containment, quality, and clinical outcomes. His work in the CQO field led to the publication of two books, Healthcare Supply Chain at the Intersection of Cost, Quality and Outcomes; and The Healthcare Supply Chain, Best Practices for Operating at the Intersection of Cost, Quality and Outcomes.
Christopher is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) where he also served as Chair. Chris is also a board member of the YMCA of Greater New York and an adjunct faculty member at Cornell University, Pace University, Iona College, and SUNY Binghamton, where he has taught healthcare and supply chain management.
Christopher is an engaged volunteer with Covenant House Latin America. One of his major contributions to Covenant House was to create sustainable revenue streams to support the mission and reduce reliance on external donations. Christopher is the father of three grown sons, a licensed pilot, and an avid boater. He was previously an accomplished long-distance runner and has completed four marathons. He is also a general partner in OPC, a real estate development company he founded in his early twenties.
