Getting to Know Pete Ostasewski, GBMC HealthCare Chief Financial Officer

Many of you know I’m a lifelong Texas A&M football fan. My son is now at Indiana University, and I have to admit his team has had more success in five months than I’ve had in four decades as a Texas A&M football fan. It’s a running joke in our house but also a reminder that progress doesn’t always follow our preferred timeline. What matters is staying committed to the work and investing in what makes a team stronger.

At GBMC, that means investing in the people and systems that strengthen care at the bedside. In that spirit, I’m pleased to introduce Peter (Pete) Ostasewski as GBMC HealthCare’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Pete’s journey into healthcare leadership is anything but traditional, and that’s exactly what makes him such a strong addition to GBMC. A Baltimore native, an Army veteran, and a former nurse, Pete brings a rare combination of clinical insight, operational understanding, and financial expertise. His path—from tactical medic to bedside nurse to senior finance leader—reflects the kind of thoughtful, mission driven movement that aligns deeply with our values.

What has impressed me most so far is his people-centered approach. Pete views finance not as a siloed function, but as a service—one that enables and supports the caregivers at the center of our work. His instinct to connect financial stewardship directly to the bedside reinforces a core principle for us: progress only matters when it strengthens our teams and improves the care we deliver.

I also want you to hear directly from Pete. In the Q&A below, you’ll see the themes that define him as a leader: purpose, service, humility, and forward motion. These are the same qualities that drive GBMC HealthCare, and I’m confident you’ll see why he is such a strong fit for our community.

Please enjoy getting to know him.

Q: Tell us about your life outside of GBMC. 
I’ve been married to my wife, Deneen, for almost 12 years now, and we’re a blended family. I have three children from my first marriage, three grandchildren, and two stepdaughters. Family is a big part of my life, and I really enjoy making my rounds, visiting my kids, my grandkids, and staying connected whenever I can. 

Healthcare is a common thread in our family. My wife is a former emergency room nurse who now works as a school nurse. My oldest stepdaughter works in healthcare finance, and my youngest stepdaughter is preparing to enter a nursing program. Those shared experiences give us a lot to connect around. 

I’m also a licensed pilot, a certified scuba diver, and a longtime musician. I play guitar, I sing, and I’ve been part of my church’s worship group for years. I love being outdoors, enjoying live music, and just being with people. 

Q: What’s a favorite story from your time as a pilot? 
When my son was little, I used to fly out of Martin State Airport. He was the only one of my kids who really wanted to get in the airplane. He’d climb into the backseat, and after takeoff he’d be asleep in about ten minutes. 

Pilots talk about the “$100 hamburger.” You need flight hours to stay competent, and it’s really about the landing, not the takeoff. We’d fly to Lancaster Regional Airport, taxi up to the diner, have lunch, stop by the pilot store, and head home. He’s 32 now, and he still remembers those trips. 

Q: Scuba diving is another passion of yours. Do you have favorite spots? 
St. Croix and Exuma are probably my favorites. Exuma has some of the clearest water on the planet. I also love diving in Little Cayman. You start in about 15 feet of water and then it drops straight down. It’s like jumping off a skyscraper into the ocean. My youngest daughter and I really bonded through scuba diving. 

Q: How has your military service shaped you? 
I had the humble honor of serving in special operations as a tactical medic with the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. That was really my first venture into healthcare and what eventually led me into nursing. My oldest daughter and I bonded around that service. She graduated from West Point in 2008, which is an incredible point of pride for me.  There is a long lineage that spans many generations.   

Q: You mentioned having your own “5 Ps.” What does that mean to you? 
Everything I do starts with patients – always. Then their families. Then our providers. Then our people. Then payers. And finally, Pete. 

I call it my 5 Ps, and it’s how I prioritize my thinking every day. I’m a servant leader. If I’m doing this right, I should come last. Even in finance, if you can’t connect what you’re doing back to what’s happening at the bedside, you’re missing the mark. 

Q: What has it meant to be back in Baltimore after living in central PA? 
I grew up in Towson, I’m a Calvert Hall alum, and this area has always felt like home. I’ve been a Ravens fan since their inception, so being back in a community that truly supports Maryland sports has been great. 

I also played lacrosse well into my 40s, so being back in a place that appreciates the culture of lacrosse resonates with me. I drive by Johnny Unitas Stadium every day coming into work, where Calvert Hall plays Loyola each year. And honestly, there just aren’t many crab eaters up in central Pennsylvania! 

Q: What does it mean to you to be at GBMC now? 
GBMC was always that “beacon on the hill” for me. My family has received care here, and I come with a lot of respect and admiration for what’s been accomplished. I’m excited to be part of an energized leadership team and to help build on a really strong foundation.