Gary Bruce works with hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare organizations to find practical and patient-focused solutions to complex challenges. Fueled by a passion to help others, Gary has found a home in healthcare protecting his clients’ legal interests and championing initiatives that promote employee and patient wellness.

Gary spent the last 10 years of his legal career at St. Charles Health System (SCHS), most recently serving as Vice President and General Counsel. There, he provided legal advice and counsel to the board of directors, executive leadership, and medical staff while overseeing the health system’s legal and risk management departments. Prior to working at SCHS, he served as a staff attorney at Mission Health, Inc. in Asheville, North Carolina, for six years. This experience has given him an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of healthcare companies and the particular legal challenges they face.

Gary has taught health law classes for the University of Oregon’s Executive MBA Program, as well as Central Oregon Community College’s nursing program. In 2006, Gary was awarded Mission Health, Inc.’s Spirit of Martin Luther King Award for outstanding achievement in the fields of diversity and cultural awareness.

Bar Admissions

• Oregon State Courts
• Washington State Courts

Education

• University of Oregon, Master of Business Administration degree (2016)‎
• Oregon State University, Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude (1995)‎
• Washington and Lee School of Law, Juris Doctor degree ‎‎(2000)‎

• Provided legal advice and counsel to board of directors, executive leadership, medical staff, and frontline caregivers.
• Oversaw legal and risk management departments and provided counsel on legal and risk matters.
• Worked independently and with outside counsel to defend SCHS against legal claims.
• Helped negotiate and manage relationships with outside insurers and claims administrators.
• Worked to set up accountable care and coordinated care organizations and networks.
• Helped develop policies and systems to enforce appropriate use of electronic medical records systems by outside entities.
• Helped negotiate and oversee acquisitions of hospitals and healthcare practices.
• Helped address and manage violations of medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, and policies by physicians and other providers.
• Provided legal support to medical executive, bylaws, and credentialing committees.
• Reviewed, negotiated, and drafted hospital contracts.
• Researched and drafted policies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards.
• Served as resource on legal questions regarding the appropriate use and disclosure of patient information and handled claims processing.

• Telemedicine in the Age of COVID-19

  By Gary Bruce |December 2020

• Surprise Medical Bills in the Crosshairs: Supreme Court Decision Places Additional Obligations on Health Care Providers
• Physician Assistants Will Have Increased Autonomy and Independence Under Proposed Rules
• New Non-Discrimination Law Leaves Many Open Questions
• New Bill Pumps the Breaks on Health Care Consolidation in Oregon (updated 07/28/2021)
• Main Street Lending Program Overview for Nonprofits and For-Profit Businesses (updated 11/5/2020)
• Telehealth Services Will Transform Access and Quality of Healthcare
• Recent FDA Guidance on the Distribution, Use, and Importation of Disposable Filtration Masks and Face Shields (updated June 30, 2020)