Gary Oftedahl has had a lifelong interest in exploring new ideas, concepts, theories and contemplating how one might apply them to addressing issues in innovative ways. He is a voracious reader and has used his vast literary exposure to bring unique perspectives to his work. He spent over 40 years in the health care sector, both as a provider of health care and collaborator in multiple initiatives across a wide range of topics and participants. His 26-year experience as an internal medicine physician and over 13-year experience as a chief knowledge officer at the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) fueled his interest in innovation and creativity as he enters the encore phase of his life.

While retired from ICSI, Gary has become a collaboration catalyst, spending some of his time pursuing creative and innovative approaches to addressing wellbeing, including working with multiple universities and community organizations. He serves as a board chair of a social impact organization known as Kairos Alive! which uses dance as an example of participatory arts in engaging and supporting communities of all types of diversity. He also serves on the Hennepin Health Quality Committee, the Minnesota Community Health Workers Alliance Board of Directors and is a member of The Care Collaboratory Guiding Coalition. He is passionate in his pursuit in understanding how we can integrate adaptive principles, aesthetics, participatory arts and collaboration across diverse sectors into efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of those who work in the health care arena, but also in the communities we serve.