Not Your Average Joe
Story by Robert Waldner
Photo by Kate Gardiner
Which institution is statistically linked to St. Augustine regularly being named as one of Florida’s healthiest cities? The answer: Flagler Hospital, a beacon in the local healthcare landscape since 1890. And while it takes a dedicated staff to successfully operate a hospital, equally important is a passionate and caring leader to motivate and inspire those on the front line. Joe Gordy is that leader.
After joining Flagler Hospital as vice president in 1981, Gordy was named president and CEO in 2003. He has been at the helm for many healthcare milestones and has an impressive legacy of community service. “Flagler Hospital is 128 years old,” says Gordy, “If you look at my tenure as well as my last two predecessors, we have almost 60 years of experience. With such a historic institution, it is important for those in our position to make sure it will persevere both during and after our tenure. History shows that we have all done that.” Gordy’s statement comes with plenty of proof. Under his tenure alone, Flagler Hospital was honored as one of America’s fifty best hospitals in 2011, and has been named one of America’s hundred best in 2018.
Also under Gordy’s leadership, Flagler’s clinical outcomes have been ranked among the top five percent in the U.S. Further proving his passion for patient safety, and as part of an Initiative For Healthcare Improvement, Gordy has worked with Dr. Michael DiBella to, in Gordy’s words, “relentlessly improve medical safety and quality at Flagler Hospital. It is not enough to simply make sure our patients are healing,” says Gordy, “it is also our duty to make sure we are not hurting them.”
With contributions that go far beyond healthcare, who could possibly be better equipped to lead community educational programs than he and his wife Maggie? Together, the couple has raised their own two children through St. Johns County Public Schools. Among other attributes, Gordy is a founding member of The St. Johns County Education Foundation (since renamed as INK — Investing In Kids). He also served as a member of the St. Johns County School Board for four and a half years and served one term as Chairman. In fact, he has been so influential that The Gordy Award is presented annually by INK to an individual or business that has enhanced educational programs in the county.
Now preparing to depart his post at Flagler Hospital after fifteen memorable years, Gordy will be succeeded by Jason Barrett in May of this year. “I was able to build on what my predecessor left and I believe Jason is well-placed to lead the hospital forward after my departure,” says Gordy, adding, “One of the things that makes St. Augustine so special is that everybody here works together.”
For more information on Joe Gordy, Jason Barrett, and Flagler Hospital, visit the Flagler Hospital website.
