Meet Paul Contris: A Visionary Leader in Long-Term Healthcare

Paul Contris

With over four decades of experience, Paul Contris stands as a pioneering force in the long-term healthcare industry As the founder and CEO of Vetras Healthcare, Paul has dedicated his career to advancing senior care through compassionate service, innovative solutions, and operational excellence

Paul’s journey in healthcare began after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Puget Sound in 1982 with a degree in accounting. He launched his professional career as a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young, quickly gaining expertise in finance and auditing. But his true calling emerged in 1983 when he joined The Hillhaven Corporation as an Acquisitions Analyst. There, he played a crucial role in growing the company into the nation’s second-largest long-term care provider.

In 1985, Paul took on the role of Chief Financial Officer at Samaritan Senior Services, where he helped expand the organization from three to 22 facilities. His sharp financial insight and scalable strategies continued to define his career when, in 1992, he co-founded SunQuest HealthCare Corporation As CFO and later Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and New Development, Paul helped grow the company’s annual revenue to over $225 million in just five years. Never one to settle, Paul launched Mission Healthcare in 1997, beginning with a single senior care facility in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Over the next 15 years, he expanded operations across the Midwest, culminating in a rebrand to Welcov Healthcare in 2012. At its peak, Welcov operated 58 locations across seven states, significantly impacting the lives of seniors and their families. When industry challenges began to reshape the long-term care landscape, Paul ensured a responsible transition of Welcov’s facilities in 2019 — demonstrating his unwavering focus on resident well-being. That same year, he founded Vetras Healthcare in Torrington, Wyoming, operating

three premier facilities that offer skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, and memory care

Today, Paul Contris continues to lead with integrity, vision, and a deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors

Through Vetras Healthcare, he remains a champion for patient-centered care, continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs of older adults and their communities His legacy in the long-term healthcare industry is not only one of growth and leadership but of enduring compassion and excellence.