Dr. Joseph G. Matthews

MATTHEWS, DR. JOSEPH G., was born in Parkersburg, WV, on January 5, 1922 and was raised in Wheeling. During World War II, he served thirty-one months in the 13th Air Force in the South Pacific as a photographer. This experience led to a life long love and talent for photography. He attended undergraduate studies at University of WV and completed his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA in 1952. In 1952, he moved to Orlando, FL and completed his post graduate orthopedic surgical training at Orange Memorial Hospital. He subsequently joined two orthopedic surgeons in practice during the 1950s. He subsequently established a thriving practice with Dr. James Richards and Joseph Flynn, which eventually expanded to include other orthopedists and was eventually known as the Matthews Clinic. He conducted a thriving practice in orthopedic medicine until his retirement in 1994. He married Beth Anne Waddell in 1947 and raised four children in Orlando, FL. He served as Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery for six years at Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was also an attending orthopedic surgeon for over 30 years. He supported Florida's Children's Medical Services (CMS) and served as past medical director for Region VII. He was an editorial reviewer for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. In 1971 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Blue Shield of Florida. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1974 though July 1980. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Blue Cross and Blue Shield from 1980 until September 1985 and continued as a board member until his retirement. He was affiliated with several professional organizations, including the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons (Diplomat), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Florida Physical Therapy Association (physician advisor), Orange County Medical Society (past president), Florida Orthopedic Society (past president) and the Florida Elks Children's Hospital (past Chief of Staff). He was responsible for starting the Child Abuse and Neglect Program in Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Brevard Counties. An active member of the Florida Medical Association since 1954, he served for six years on the council of specialty medicine, six years on the Board of Governors and started the first impaired physician's program in Florida in 1980. The Florida Medical Association awarded Dr. Matthews the Certificate of Appreciation in 1989 and in 1992; the same organization awarded him their highest honor, the Certificate of Merit. Mayor Bill Frederick, City of Orlando, declared October 31, 1991 Dr. Joseph G. Matthews Day. He is predeceased by his wife, Beth Anne Matthews who died in 1995 and his oldest daughter, Lois Lee Matthews who died in 1973 at the age of 19 years. He is survived by three children, Joseph George Matthews, II of California, Anna Matthews Burian of New Jersey and Frances Grace Matthews of Colorado. He is also survived by six grandchildren and a host of friends and family.