L. R. Jordan '47

Former CEO of Miami Valley Hospital dies at 84

During L.R. 'Rush' Jordan's tenure, hospital nearly doubled in size.

By Angela Watson Gay
Staff Writer
Friday, February 13, 2009

L.R. "Rush" Jordan, former CEO of Miami Valley Hospital, died Tuesday at his home in Jacksonville, Ala. He was 84.

Mr. Jordan became the chief executive officer of MVH in 1978, and founding CEO of MedAmerica Health Systems in 1982.

During his tenure he enhanced tertiary clinical programs, expanded outpatient care and creating outreach services, including East Dayton Health Center. The hospital nearly doubled in size with the completion of the northwest wing addition in 1983.

In a memo sent to Miami Valley Hospital employees, Mary Boosalis, current president and CEO wrote:
"I can say, without equivocation, that Mr. Jordan is the reason I joined Miami Valley Hospital as an administrative fellow more than 22 years ago.

"He was a tremendous teacher, mentor and friend. The success of our hospital today is truly a testament to his legacy."

Mr. Jordan, named president emeritus, retired in 1987 to be with his wife, Jean, who fought Alzheimer's disease until her death in 1992.

Mr. Jordan returned to teaching as professor of health services administration at the University of Alabama Birmingham until 2002.

The university named an endowed lectureship after him.

A native of Smithfield, N.C., he was one of the founders of the Voluntary Hospitals of America, a group formed to improve the efficiency of health care related management.

He received many accolades during his professional career, including Modern Healthcare magazine naming him to the National Health Care Hall of Fame in 2000.

Mr. Jordan earned an Associate of Arts degree from Mars Hill College in 1943, a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College in 1947, and a master's degree in 1949.

He held several positions before taking the position at Miami Valley Hospital, including assistant director and assistant professor of hospital management at Duke University Medical Center; director of teaching hospitals and clinics at the J. Hillis Miller Center, and associate professor of management at the College of Business Administration at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

He also served as president and CEO of Baptist Medical Centers in Birmingham, and later at the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans.

Mr. Jordan was a veteran of World War II (1943-1946) and the Korean War (1950-1951) and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1943-1964.

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan had three daughters, Brandie (Thomas) Hahn, Rebecca (Cameron) Welton, and Judy (J.B.) Benton; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jean and L.R. Jordan Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Calhoun County, P.O. Box 1826, Anniston, AL 36202.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.klbrownfuneralhome.com.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2374 or anwatson@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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