Logan Health Welcomes new Chief Information Officer
Steve Garske, Ph.D., has joined Logan Health as Chief Information Officer. Dr. Garske has more than 16 years of senior executive and Chief Information Officer experience with multiple technical and business degrees, which have allowed him to become a seasoned, digitally savvy IT leader.
“Logan Health has grown to become a multi-hospital healthcare system, with significant information technology needs. The addition of a Chief Information Officer position will provide oversight to these critical functions,” says Logan Health President & CEO Craig Lambrecht, MD. “I’m thrilled to have Steve join our team. With his vast expertise and experience, his leadership will better position us for the future.”
Dr. Garske comes to Logan Health from Pipeline Health System where he served as Enterprise Chief Information Officer for the seven hospital, 1200-bed health system. Dr. Garske earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics, scientific programming from the University of California, San Diego; an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); a second master’s degree in business information technology from Kingston University in London; and a doctorate in applied management decision sciences and information systems management from Walden University.
Prior to his role at Pipeline Health System, Dr. Garske served executive roles at several healthcare organizations including Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Chief Information Officer at Verity Health System (VHS), and Chief Information Officer for Kootenai Health System (KHS). He has extensive expertise and experience in healthcare cybersecurity (CISO), infrastructure and application knowledge (CTO), data monetization, digital transformation and integration, new and innovative business models and technologies (AI/ML/VR/RPA), and Agile/ITIL process implementation. Dr. Garske and his teams created Digital Strategy Committees to align the organizations goals and aspirations with the IT organizations direction. He has also created flexible processes and data governance structures at every location and excels at implementing inclusive data and technology strategies for the organizations he has served. He has been inducted into the CIO Hall of Fame in 2022, received the CIO 100 Innovators Award in 2019 and 2020, the CIO of the Year Award in 2017, the FutureEdge50 Cybersecurity Award for 2019 and 2020, multiple Most Wired Awards (2017, 2019, 2020), and Healthcare’s Best IT departments (2014, 2017).
Dr. Garske currently serves on the boards of Medic Alert, Vidya Institute, and San Diego State University Computer Science Advisory Council. He has also served on the boards of Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS), Idaho Health Data Exchange, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Idaho, College of Engineering Board. Steve enjoys managing ACTs, a non-profit technology organization that helps underserved youths receive technology. Dr. Garske is an avid triathlete and has competed in multiple triathlons and running competitions.
“A passion of mine is to help healthcare IT teams become the best. After meeting with many dedicated and committed staff at Logan Health, it was obvious that I had found a place where I could contribute. Through IT, I will work incredibly hard to ensure we have the best technology, processes, and team,” says Dr. Garske. “I love working with healthcare teams – I always tell those I work with that you cannot find a more honorable and admirable career than helping others live healthier lives.”
About Logan Health
Logan Health is a nonprofit, 578-bed health system located in the iconic Flathead Valley of northwest Montana. While the main medical campus is located in Flathead County, Logan Health draws from a total service area covering 13 counties, nearly 40,000 square miles and a population of more than 600,000. The health system consists of five hospitals, more than 50 provider clinics and a host of other health care services, including the nation’s first rural air ambulance service (A.L.E.R.T.), which it has maintained for more than 40 years. Nearly 4,500 physicians, nurses, health care professionals and support staff work together to provide patients and their families with a positive, proactive, patient-centered experience. Founded in 1910, Logan Health has provided exceptional care for more than 100 years to the communities it serves. Throughout its history, the organization has continued to grow and evolve with the growth and changing needs of the communities it serves.