James A. Jordan M.D.

It is with profound sadness that the family of James A. Jordan, M.D. share the passing of their beloved father and husband. His wife of 39 years, Janet, and his children, Alison (Trevor Foster), Eric, Taylor (Jeffrey Salvitti), Spencer (Josh Blinzler), and James Jr. (Amanda Saul) will never be the same. There are not words big enough to capture who he was.

Considered a legend in the medical community, he was known for his razor sharp brain and warm personality. For 60 years, his name was synonymous with psychiatry in South Florida. He was a trusted mentor and towering presence with uncanny diagnostic skills. He loved practicing medicine and was a doctor's doctor. He was making House Calls right up until his 90th birthday. The Caducean Society, which he co-founded in 1971, named him "Doctor of the Year" in 2023.

Jim retired for the first time at age 65 and enjoyed being a fulltime dad. He coached many teams and served as Medicine Man and Chief of the Nation for the Indian Guides and Princesses. He played in a Masters Basketball "Over-70" League where he was part of the National Championship Team in Las Vegas. Eventually, he returned to the practice of medicine where he learned that letting his license lapse meant he must retake the General Medicine Boards, forty years after graduating medical school. Colleagues unanimously agree that passing the General Medicine Boards in his 70's, was his greatest career achievement. He retired permanently at age 90.

The legal community also mourns the loss of the expert witness who put fear in the hearts of opposing attorneys. Jim was an extremely intelligent man who had a singularly effective dignity and presence. When Jim Jordan walked into a courtroom, people took notice. Fierce but always a gentleman, after a brutal grilling on the witness stand, it was not unusual for him to shake hands with an opposing attorney. "We're both just doing our job," he would say.

Born and raised in Tell City, Indiana to Jabez and Lucille Jordan, Jim attended Lincoln Memorial University on a full basketball scholarship. From there, he attended Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Jackson Memorial in Miami where he was "Intern of the Year". In 2025, Lincoln Memorial University Medical School named their new Medical Science building after Jim.

After establishing his private practice in Ft Lauderdale, he was drafted and served two years as Captain of the 82nd Airborne Division, logging 33 jumps. He returned to Ft Lauderdale where he served as Medical Director of many hospital systems; a decade as Florida's delegate to the APA; and was appointed by the governor to the State Board of Medicine. He was Director of Behavioral Health for the North Broward Hospital District and Clinical Director of South Florida State Hospital. In 2005, the Miami Dolphins hired him as their Team Psychiatrist, the first in-house psychiatrist in the NFL. He was a part of the Miami Dolphins organization for 20 years, until he retired.

He and his wife, Janet, were avid travelers and members of the Seven Continent Club, having celebrated his retirement in January 2024 in Antarctica. Jim was particularly delighted by his six grandchildren, Shaughnessy and Trinity Foster, Josephine and Jabe Salvitti, and Poppy and Magnolia Blinzler.

Jim Jordan was a good man, a great father and husband and an exemplary physician. He was a calming presence and knew how to listen. His spirit lives on in his children and the thousands of people whose lives were enriched, improved or touched by him. The world is better because Jim Jordan lived.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution in his memory to his Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward at https://cfbroward.link/jordan-family-fund

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 22nd at Christ Church United Methodist, 4845 NE 25 Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, 33308. Family Visitation will be in Fellowship Hall at 2pm and church service begins at 3pm.