Aurora appoints Gail Hanson as SVP, CFO

MILWAUKEE — Aurora Health Care has appointed a Wisconsin state official as its SVP and CFO.

The nonprofit health system, which runs Aurora Health Care Pharmacy in Wisconsin, announced the appointment of Gail Hanson to the two positions, replacing David Eager, who will continue with Aurora’s finance group under Hanson’s leadership.

Hanson previously served as deputy executive director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2004, being in charge of accounting, governance and general management functions. The SWIB manages the assets of the Wisconsin Retirement System, the State Investment Fund and other state trust funds, with a total of more than $78 billion in assets as of 2009, according to the organization’s website.

“We in health care are facing a time of many complex financial challenges and opportunities brought about by federal and state reform, the down economy, the competitive landscape and declining reimbursement,” Aurora Health Care president and CEO Nick Turkal said. “Gail’s strong record of financial leadership in the public and private sectors and her strategic capabilities will put Aurora in a position to capitalize on the opportunities ahead of us.”

From 1999 to 2004, Hanson was SVP, treasurer and CFO for Cobalt, a Milwaukee-based health insurer that grew out of Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin and since has changed its name to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.