Dr. Jeremy Gardner Will Become Altru Health System CMO
The veteran orthopedic surgeon will assume the new role at the Grand Forks health organization this October.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
Altru Health System has announced that Dr. Jeremy Gardner will step into the position of Chief Medical Officer. He is set to begin his new tenure on October 19, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment brings a long-standing physician leader into the executive suite to guide medical staff and organizational strategy at Altru. This transition is intended to provide unified physician leadership for the health system.
Dr. Jeremy Gardner has accumulated over 16 years of employment at Altru Health System. He previously served as the medical director of orthopedics and neurosciences.
The players
Dr. Jeremy Gardner
An orthopedic surgeon who is a board-certified member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Altru Health System
A medical organization serving the Grand Forks community that provides various specialized health services.
The details
Dr. Gardner will maintain his clinical practice as an orthopedic surgeon while managing the responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer role. He holds a medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Timeline
Dr. Gardner begins his tenure as CMO on October 19, 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows established patterns of elevating senior physicians with board-certified backgrounds into administrative leadership roles. This move strengthens the internal governance structure of Altru Health System within the competitive regional healthcare market.
Patients can expect continued continuity of care as Dr. Gardner remains active as an orthopedic surgeon. This leadership change focuses on internal physician coordination rather than immediate shifts in public pricing or service availability.
The takeaway
Selecting a long-term veteran for the Chief Medical Officer role often signals a commitment to maintaining existing clinical standards during periods of organizational change. Patients benefit when medical leaders remain active in clinical practice, ensuring administrative decisions reflect daily patient needs.
What happens next
Dr. Jeremy Gardner will officially begin his role as Chief Medical Officer at Altru Health System on October 19, 2026.
Further reading
Find more updates regarding medical leadership in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KNOX Radio, Local News, Weather & Sports from Grand Forks.
