Michael D. Wright

MICHAEL DERWIN WRIGHT, MBA, LFACHE, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, healthcare executive, avid golfer and loyal Baltimore Ravens fan passed on March 7, 2025. Michael was the eldest son born to Doris March Wright and Walter Derwin Wright on March 7, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland. His brother, Gregory Dion Wright aka Hazim Abdul Ghaffar preceded Michael in death in 2000. Growing up in East and West Baltimore, Michael developed relationships on both the East and West sides of town. Most of the early years were spent on the West side where he attended Gwynn Falls Elementary and William H. Lemmel Junior High School. After moving back to the East side, Michael attended the Baltimore City College High School graduating in May 1968. Michael often described his high school years as the best years of his life. Active in sports, track and field and football specifically. He pledged Epsilon Gamma Phi Fraternity, Inc. in high school where many long-lasting relationships continue to this day. After graduating from City, Michael served in the U.S. Army assigned to Infantry ad Medical Divisions and was honorably discharged in 1974. While in the service, Michael trained as a Radiologic Technician, which was the beginning of his greater than forty years in healthcare. While in the Army, Michael married his high school sweetheart, Norma Rhonda Reed, (who preceded him in death), and this union was blessed with an oversized baby boy, Tracey Dion Wright, who preceded Michael in death in 2004. After discharge from the military, Michael trained as a Respiratory Therapist at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore and began college at Morgan State University majoring in Business Administration. After practicing as therapist for decade, Michael met his mentor and friend, Rod Rutledge, who encouraged him to change his major to Health Care Administration and to pursue a career as a hospital administrator. During this period, Michael met and married Tamber R. Branch, and through this union they were blessed with two beautiful children, Jared Michael and Chloe Tamber (his pride and joy). Michael and Tamber joined New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore and became active members serving on the Senior Usher Board and the Choir where they continue to be active members. While raising a family in Pikesville, Maryland, he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Science and Policy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. After the dissolution of this marriage, Michael met and fell in love with Karen V. Chapman in 2012 in Atlanta, GA. After a four-year relationship, he and Karen married on March 8, 2015. Michael and Karen lived happily in Alpharetta, Georgia, traveling throughout the U.S. and Caribbean Islands. They both share a love of the tropics and the beach. Karen is from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Michael had a genuine love and passion for healthcare and enjoyed a career as a healthcare executive spanning forty years. Privileged to serve as a senor healthcare executive, Michael held positions at Liberty Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Community Physicians in Baltimore, Vice President of Operations at Wake Med, Raleigh, NC, Chief Operating Officer at Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL, Senior Vice President, Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA. After leaving Grady, Michael established M.D. Wright Associates Consulting, LLC, with a focus on healthcare operations improvement and interim management. Through his company, Michael was awarded contracts as Interim COO at the Methodist Hospital, Gary IN, Interim COO, CulturalLink, Norcross, GA, and most recently Interim COO, the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, SC. The highlight of Michael’s career was rooted in being a life-long learner and teacher. Michael enjoyed sharing his wealth of knowledge of healthcare by mentoring students in Healthcare Administration programs and early and mid-careerists. Over the years he served as preceptor, as well as mentor to many students. Michael also presented at national conferences in Orlando, FL; Las Vegas, NV; and Chicago, IL. Michael’s work in hospital operations improvements has been recognized by being awarded; Daniel H. Wagner Prize in Operations Research Practice and The Franz Edelman Award finalist for Transforming Emergency Department Workflow and Patient Care. Professionally Michael had been an active member of the National Association of Health Services Executive (NAHSE) since the early 1990’s. During that time, Michael served as President, Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter, Chairman, National Strategic Planning Committee, and Board Member at Large, National. Michael was one of the co-sponsors in the development of the North Carolina Chapter. Michael was also active in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and was awarded his Fellow designation (FACHE) in 2003. In September 2020, Michael was awarded his Life Fellow designation by the College (LFACHE). Michael was socially active as well, at one time or another in the Meritocrats, Inc. and the Black Diamond Golf Club, Baltimore, MD., the T-Birds Golf Club, Chicago, IL and the Negro National Golf Association, Atlanta, GA Chapter. Michael leaves to cherish his memory and sustain his legacy: his loving wife Karen C. Wright, son Jared M. Wright (Chara); Chloe T. Wright (Albert Huntley IV); step-son Mark A. Washington (Shante); sister Kimberly Simone James (Michael); grandchildren Marcus Wright, Myles Wright, Marae M. Wright, Bryson Wright, Peyton Huntley, Skylar Huntley, Silas Wright, Maximus Wright, Iris Wright; Dante Dawkins, Justin Washington, Taylor Washington, Noah Washington, Jamal Rogers, Jr and Jayden Rogers; nieces Stacy Ringgold, Ebonie Wright and Shakirah AbdulGhaffar; mother-in-law Beatrice Chapman, father-in-law Abdul Ali, step-son Jamal Rogers; step-daughter J’Nia Rogers, and a host of cousins and other relatives.

Tributes

Michael D. Wright

March 7, 1949 - March 7, 2025