Community celebrates retirement of Joe Gordy

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Various community leaders gathered at the Flagler College Solarium in Downtown St. Augustine on Thursday, March 29, to celebrate the retirement of longtime Flagler Hospital executive Joe Gordy.

Organized by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Flagler College and the St. Augustine Record, the event honored Gordy’s long career at Flagler Hospital, which began in 1981 as vice president. He was named president and chief executive officer in 2003.

Under Gordy’s leadership, Flagler Hospital was named one of America’s best 50 hospitals in 2011 and one of America’s 100 best in 2018. According to the Chamber, Gordy led the hospital through what many consider to be the most transformative years in the healthcare industry, characterized by the introduction of healthcare reform, the transition to electronic medical records and the shift to value-based care.

Outside of the hospital, Gordy led the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce as chairman of the board, and he chaired the Chamber’s Economic Development Council. He was also the founding president of the St. Johns County Education Foundation and served as a St. Johns County School District School Board member for four-and-a-half years, including a term as chairman. In recognition of Gordy’s commitment to education, the St. Johns County Education Foundation presents the Gordy Award each year to an individual or business that has enhanced educational programs in the county.

A St. Augustine resident, Gordy and his wife Maggie raised both of their children in the Ancient City.