Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Reflections on GBMC's 60th Anniversary

Picture this: it’s just six weeks into a brand-new job, and you’re standing in front of 350 people at GBMC’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, tasked with delivering a 15-minute speech ... using one of those really fancy teleprompters for the very first time. Let’s just say, the struggle was real last Tuesday, my friends!

Fortunately for me, I have been embraced by an amazing GBMC HealthCare culture that allowed my fears to just melt away. I was also lucky to have my trusted sidekick (my wife, Ellen) at my side.  

It was our first big event together here, and it meant a lot to share that moment, not just as GBMC HealthCare’s new president, but as a couple joining a community we already feel proud to be part of. The evening was filled with stories, laughter, history, and hope.  

One of the highlights of the evening was introducing Michael Yaggy, whose connection to GBMC is both personal and historical. Michael is the son of Elizabeth Duncan Yaggy, one of GBMC’s founding leaders and one of the original Visionary Women, we honored that night. He was present at GBMC’s dedication ceremony 60 years ago. And hearing him reflect on those early days, on his mother’s vision, and the community’s resolve was moving. I’ve always been fascinated by our health system’s origin story. Getting to introduce someone who lived it? That was a full-circle moment I won’t forget.

Of course, the night was also about celebrating where we are now and where we’re headed. I shared with our guests what I’ve seen in just my first few weeks: a health system defined by its values and not just longevity. One that delivers a continuum of care, from a mother’s first prenatal visit to the compassionate support of our Gilchrist teams at life’s end. A system that remains fiercely independent, not because it’s easy, but because it allows us to be responsive, community-driven, and personal in our decisions.

We also honored three remarkable physicians, our 2025 Titans of Care, whose leadership and service have shaped GBMC in major ways. And we celebrated 60 Visionary Women whose collective contributions have been fundamental to our success. These women were clinicians, volunteers, executives, and advocates. Their leadership reminds us that our legacy isn’t something we simply inherit. It’s something we continue to build, together.

The best medicine happens in places where decisions are made close to home – where you feel a bond to your community. That’s what I felt last Tuesday night. And that’s why I believe in our future.

Thank you to everyone who made the celebration possible and to those who’ve made this first chapter of my GBMC HealthCare journey so meaningful. Here’s to the next 60 years!

Just for fun....

I’ve enjoyed reading and responding to all the blog comments. I’ve also gotten a lot of questions from people just wanting to get to know a little bit more about me. The marketing team helped put together this video to answer a few of the more popular questions – hope you enjoy it. Keep the conversation going!