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Boardroom named in honor of former hospital leader “Mac” McGriff

Family members gather around William A. “Mac” McGriff III for a photo following a special ceremony to rename the Shands Boardroom in his honor.
UF Health Jacksonville CEO Russ Armistead speaks during the naming ceremony.
"Mac" McGriff's son, Billy, gives remarks inside the boardroom, which is a primary meeting location for UF Health leadership groups on campus
"Mac" McGriff, right, shakes hands with his cousin, Perry McGriff, who was among the dozens of family members, friends and former colleagues on hand for the ceremony.

One of the most influential leaders from UF Health Jacksonville’s past was honored during a special naming ceremony this month.

William A. “Mac” McGriff III, former chief executive officer of what was then University Medical Center, was surrounded by family, longtime friends and former colleagues June 14 on the fourth floor of the Learning Resource Center on campus – where the Shands Boardroom has been renamed the W.A. “Mac” McGriff III Boardroom.

“Mac has been selected for this naming opportunity because of his role as a trusted advisor and supporter of many important initiatives – dedicating so much of his time and resources to the work we do,” UF Health Jacksonville CEO Russ Armistead said.

Before the hospital’s affiliation with the University of Florida, McGriff served as a volunteer board member of University Medical Center Jacksonville. He was later named vice chair and then became chair. In 1999, he became interim CEO of the hospital, serving in that position for three years.   

McGriff was instrumental in forming the relationship between University Medical Center and Shands HealthCare, helping build what is now UF Health Jacksonville.

Like Armistead, Guy Benrubi, MD, associate chief medical officer at UF Health Jacksonville, spoke during the naming ceremony, sharing memories of his time working with McGriff 20 years ago. Benrubi said McGriff devised the concept of an “executive management group,” in which the campus’ clinical and academic leaders would meet weekly to discuss ideas, developments and plans.

Benrubi said McGriff also advocated for collaboration with other health care organizations in the city and was a huge proponent of UF Health Jacksonville expanding its footprint beyond 8th Street. 

 “That vision started 20 years ago with Mac McGriff, and it is now coming to fruition,” Benrubi said, referencing the emergence of UF Health North.

McGriff served the University of Florida for decades in an array of capacities, including as the Jacksonville representative on the Board of Regents, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees and chairman of the UF Athletic Association. He was also a member of the Shands Hospital Board and the UF Health Jacksonville Board of Directors.

“He’s always been such a generous and genuine person,” said longtime friend Joanne Waits, who attended the naming ceremony with her husband, Bobby. “It’s our honor to celebrate this occasion with him.”

McGriff didn’t formally speak during the program, but his son, Billy, gave a few emotional remarks inside the boardroom, which is a primary meeting location for UF Health leadership groups on campus.

“Thank you to everyone in this room for your support today and over the years,” Billy McGriff said. “We are humbled and proud that this boardroom will live on with his spirit in mind.”