GBMC HealthCare Hires Executive Leadership in Two Key Areas

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Media contacts: Krystina Wales – 410-952-2558 or media@gbmc.org 

GBMC HealthCare Hires Executive Leadership in Two Key Areas 
Two new leaders bring significant and diverse expertise in financial management and patient safety 

Baltimore, MD (January 5, 2026) – GBMC HealthCare announces Peter C. Ostasewski, MBA, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GBMC HealthCare and Samantha Crandall, PhD, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, to the role of Senior Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety for GBMC HealthCare. 

These are GBMC President and CEO Dr. Paari Gopalakrishnan’s first executive hires since his arrival in September 2025 as he develops his strategic vision for the 60-year health system. Both hires are strong collaborators and visionary problem solvers in their respective areas. 

In his role, Ostasewski will be responsible for leading and safeguarding all financial activities and policies for the organization. He will serve as a key partner in aligning financial goals with the system’s strategic plan. 

“Peter has a wealth of experience. He delivers consistent results, and his steady leadership makes him a great asset to the executive team at GBMC,” Dr. Gopalakrishnan said. “He will be a key partner in advancing our vision and ensuring GBMC remains strong and well-positioned to serve our community for generations to come.” 

Ostasewski brings more than 30 years of experience as a transformational healthcare finance leader, with a proven record of guiding complex health systems toward operational excellence and sustainable growth. Harnessing diverse expertise across nonprofit, academic, and multi-facility health systems, Ostasewski is uniquely positioned to navigate complex and ever-changing healthcare environments. 

“I’m looking forward to bringing years of knowledge and learning back to the community where I grew up,” Ostasewski said. “GBMC has always been a trusted community anchor and committed to patient-centered care. I’m eager to build on its strong foundation.” 

Most recently, Ostasewski served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State Health Medical Group, where he oversaw $3.5 billion in operating revenue and led initiatives to significantly improve performance and strengthen the organization. This included founding a Financial Improvement Task Force, which contributed to $20.7M in operating income improvements in six months. 

His career also includes senior leadership roles at MedStar Health, UPMC, Pinnacle Health System, and Tenet Healthcare Corporation, where he consistently delivered measurable improvements in financial performance, revenue cycle optimization, physician compensation models, and strategic planning. 

Ostasewski is also a decorated U.S. Army veteran, serving as an Army Airborne Ranger, Special Operations Combat Medic. He is also a Baltimore native. A Calvert Hall alum, he holds an MBA from Loyola University of Maryland and a BS in Nursing from the University of Maryland. 

In her role as Senior Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety, Dr. Crandall will be responsible for upholding the high standard of performance excellence and outstanding quality management that led to GBMC being the first healthcare system in Maryland to receive the presidential Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. She brings extensive experience in advancing patient safety, quality outcomes, and performance improvement across complex healthcare systems. 

“Samantha’s leadership in fostering a culture of safety, combined with her expertise in Lean methodology, risk management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, will be invaluable in our efforts toward continuous improvement,” Dr. Gopalakrishnan said. “I look forward to seeing her perspective on the incredible foundation of care quality and performance improvement we have at GBMC.” 

Most recently, Dr. Crandall served as Director of Quality, Patient Safety, and Clinical Performance Improvement at Suburban Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she led the strategic integration of quality and safety functions, implemented high-reliability practices, and drove measurable improvements in patient outcomes, including significant reductions in hospital-acquired infections and mortality rates. 

“This role sits squarely at the intersection of the work I care most about: improving systems, reducing harm, strengthening reliability, and making sure teams have what they need to deliver excellent care, even on the days that don’t go according to plan,” Dr. Crandall said. “I’m looking forward to partnering with the exceptional GBMC team and continuing to build a culture where quality and safety aren’t just initiatives but are baked into the way we work.” 

Her career also includes leading patient safety and risk assessment initiatives in several California hospitals, where she increased reporting and developed training programs to educate staff. She holds a master’s in nursing and a doctorate in nursing research from the University of San Diego. 

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About GBMC HealthCare 
Since its founding in 1965, GBMC has been known as an outstanding, independent community hospital, validating the vision of our founders to combine the best of community and university-level medicine. Our 275-bed, acute and sub-acute care hospital in Towson handles more than 23,000 admissions and more than 52,000 emergency room visits annually. With GBMC Health Partners, we have established 11 advanced primary practices throughout the region, working to keep people well by coordinating preventive care and the management of chronic disease. We are also committed, in every specialty, to provide culturally competent care and service of the highest quality to every patient, every time with the goal of health equity for all.