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The moment has probably already occurred. The moment when an Anne Arundel Medical Center patient or doctor crossed through the Martin L. Doordan Health Sciences Institute and wondered, “Who exactly is this building named after?” The answer is an inspiring and detailed biography of the man who helped lead AAMC on a transformation from sound-yet-modest downtown Annapolis facility to a eathtaking, cutting-edge Anne Arundel County medical campus. Of course, Martin—or “Chip” as those closest to his vest call him— Doordan couldn't have foreseen the multi-billion dollar upgrade and movement of AAMC from Franklin Street to Jennifer Road (for which he would ultimately become responsible), when he began his career in the Army medical service corps during Vietnam. Upon his return to the states, Doordan earned a masters degree, his second, from George Washington University in health care administration. In 1972 he joined AAMC and by 1988 became its president. In 1994, the Board of Trustees named Doordan president of the Anne Arundel Health System (the presiding organization over AAMC). The trajectory of his career and of the hospital system would then soar.
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Under Doordan's leadership, AAMC moved from its original location in downtown Annapolis to its current Medical Park campus, more than doubling in size. In addition, the health system built satellite locations in Bowie, Kent Island, and Waugh Chapel. “I'm proud that we were able to continue to meet the health care needs of our region through growth of not only facilities, but services as well,” says Doordan. “The results could not have been accomplished without the wonderful commitment of the many governing board members, medical staff, employees, and auxiliary that I had the privilege to be affiliated with,” Doordan sums, his graciousness also indicative of his ability to build through consensus.
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In what was perhaps the capstone of his near-40-year career with AAMC, Doordan oversaw the Spring 2011 completion of a $424 million expansion, which dramatically increased AAMC's footprint by adding new medical facilities, buildings, walkways, and parking garages. His retirement in June of that year also coincided with the completion of two Doordan ainchildren; the Vision 2010 strategic plan (which specifi ed growth in the health system's four key service lines: cardiac and vascular; cancer; joints, ain and spine; and women's services) and the Care Like No Other campaign (which raised $44 million for the health system).
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In reflecting on his career and its impact on the community, Doordan says, “I loved every minute of it. More people than ever need care and it's a challenge to meet that need. I came to a very nice small community hospital and have seen it transform into a full-grown regional health system. A healthy population provides an improved quality of life. Not just staying healthy individually, but as a community as a whole as well.”
