Michigan Medicine Appoints Anika Gardenhire as Its First Chief Digital and Information Officer

In the newly created role, Gardenhire will lead the academic health system’s information technology strategy, digital initiatives, and IT operations.

Michigan Medicine has appointed Anika Gardenhire, R.N., MMCI, as its first Chief Digital and Information Officer, with her tenure commencing on March 1. 

In the newly created role, Gardenhire will lead the academic health system’s information technology strategy, digital initiatives, and IT operations.

Gardenhire brings more than 20 years of experience across technology leadership, digital strategy, data management, and cybersecurity. She most recently served as Chief Digital and Transformation Officer at Ardent Health, a healthcare system operating 30 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care across the United States.

At Michigan Medicine, Gardenhire will be responsible for guiding the organization’s multi-year information technology plan and overseeing enterprise-wide IT operations. Her role will also include advancing comprehensive digital strategies and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies across clinical, research, and administrative functions.

Quinta Vreede, MHSA, Chief Administrative Officer for Michigan Medicine, said Gardenhire’s clinical background alongside her technology leadership experience was a key factor in the appointment. “Her background in nursing and bedside care is a real advantage as we continue to find the best ways to use technology to improve our patient care delivery,” Vreede said. She added that Gardenhire will lead efforts to ensure the health system’s IT infrastructure supports patient care, operational performance, and academic missions.

Gardenhire is a registered nurse and holds a Master of Management in Clinical Informatics from Duke University. She said her clinical training has shaped her approach to digital and information technology leadership in healthcare, particularly in designing systems that meet the needs of frontline users.

“Technology kept happening to us at the bedside, and no one ever asked us how it could be better,” Gardenhire said, noting the importance of engaging end users when implementing digital tools. She emphasized that listening to care teams can lead to technology that is more efficient and usable for both clinicians and patients.

Michigan Medicine operates a statewide network of 12 acute care hospitals and employs approximately 48,000 people. The organization includes the University of Michigan Medical School and supports a broad research enterprise with annual funding exceeding $800 million.

Gardenhire described the appointment as a significant career milestone, citing Michigan Medicine’s scale and reputation across clinical care, research, and education. Her appointment formalizes the health system’s focus on centralized digital and information leadership as healthcare organizations continue to expand technology use across operations and care delivery.

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