Gary Blackford

Gary Blackford, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, joined the Lifespace Board of Directors in 2022. Gary also serves as Chair of the Board for Avanos Medical, Inc., as Lead Director of ReShape Life Sciences, Inc., and Chair of the Board for Minnesota’s Children’s Hospitals & Clinics.

He formerly served as Chairman and CEO for Universal Hospital Services, Inc., where he transformed the organization from a regional medical technology rental company to a national leader in medical technology outsourcing and life cycle solutions.

Gary received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa. He also earned a Juris Doctor from Creighton University.