Aspirus Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Gary H. Rakes is one of nine elected health care supply chain leaders to be inducted into the Bellwether League Foundation’s Hall of Fame.
Rakes and his fellow elected supply chain professionals were hailed as innovators, leaders, trailblazers and visionaries for their industry contributions and performance.
Rakes spent the first two decades of his healthcare supply chain career leading supply chain operations at a variety of military healthcare facilities in the U.S, Asia, the Caribbean, and in Europe to include highlighted duty at the U.S. Army Medical Material Center, Europe and the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship.
After retiring from active service as a Navy Medical Service Corps Officer, Rakes translated his broad and essential military logistics skills to a variety of private-sector hospitals and healthcare organizations during the next 20 years.
Rakes focused on improving operations, redesigning workflows and reducing supply expenses on enterprise levels for four distinct not-for-profit health systems and one investor-owned hospital chain region where he established one of the company’s regional consolidated distribution centers at the dawn of the growing trend.
Deborah Templeton, R.Ph., Chairman, Bellwether League Foundation, saluted all nine Bellwether honorees as contributors and participants in a much greater and larger cause.
“Bringing the stories of these honorees for all to hear is one of the great honors of Bellwether League Foundation,” Templeton said. “Some known leaders and some potentially forgotten shine together as we recognize their contributions to the healthcare supply chain field. Their dedication and leadership have paved the way for the next generation of supply chain performance. We are grateful for the ability to elevate the accomplishments, passion and legacy of the class of 2021 Bellwethers and peers that have come before them.”
Bellwether Class of 2021 honorees will be inducted at the 14th Annual Bellwether League Foundation Induction & Recognition Event (BLFIRE14), scheduled for Monday, October 4.