BOSTON—Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications has added Christopher Murphy (pictured) as senior vice president and head of its healthcare practice and Tim Fisher as vice president and head of its life sciences practice, which will operate as an extension of the firm’s established energy and technology practice.

Murphy has more than 20 years of experience, including a decade in the healthcare arena. Prior to joining Rasky Baerlein, he served as vice president of media relations and primary spokesman for Steward Health Care System where he was responsible for all of the public relations activities of the 11 hospital system. This included the sale of Caritas Christi Health Care, the nation’s largest health care transaction of 2010.

Murphy also served as the primary spokesman for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the largest health insurer in the state.

Prior to joining Rasky Baerlein, Fisher directed global policy efforts at Genzyme, where he worked with the company’s business units and country operations to address orphan drug policy, biosimilar regulation, government affairs strategies, and patient access issues impacting Genzyme’s businesses worldwide. 

He also led global government affairs activities for MetLife and the ACE Group and served at the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.