James Jerry Xinis

James J. Xinis, Jim, passed away on January 26, 2023, at home in Owings, MD, with his children and wife by his side. Jim was the beloved husband of Debbie, throughout their 40 years of marriage; a dedicated, loving and proud father to his daughter Sarah Xinis Boutaugh (Scott), Olney MD; son Daniel, Annapolis MD; and beloved Papou to grandson Jack Boutaugh. He is also survived by his loving brother Anthony, Daytona Beach, Florida.

Jim was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Feb 19, 1950 to the late Jerry and Nora Xinis. He was raised in Queens, NY, and graduated from Richmond Hill High School in June 1968. He attended St. John’s University in Queens in 1969 on a partial basketball scholarship and transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park that year and graduated in 1972, with a degree in Economics. He earned a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from New York University in 1974.

Jim had a successful career as a healthcare executive over 45 years, beginning at Prince George’s Hospital and Medical Center, until the end of 1983. During that time, Jim met his wife, Debbie Bennett, who was a psychiatric nurse, and married in June 1982. He also established special, enduring friendships while there. After leaving Prince George’s Hospital, he served as the Executive VP at Cumberland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.

Jim was appointed President and CEO of Calvert Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Prince Frederick, MD, in 1987, and continued in this role until he retired in February 2015. During his 27 years as CEO, Jim helped transform the hospital to its current standing in the community. His strategic vision helped lead the hospital to the forefront of several major healthcare initiatives including the establishment of several clinical affiliations with major healthcare and academic institutions in the Baltimore/DC region, establishing several joint ventures with physicians and other regional providers in sports medicine, physical therapy, radiation therapy, breast cancer, outpatient imaging and home care. Under his leadership, the hospital added three urgent care centers, a free-standing community health center in an underserved area, three on campus medical office buildings and two medical office buildings in Dunkirk and Solomons MD. Also, during this time, the hospital completed several expansion projects including a new emergency room, new birthing center, new surgery center and ICU, Wellness Center and other major projects. To assist in funding these projects, Jim worked closely with the community in establishing a foundation that raised millions of dollars. He also increased the health system’s workforce by 800 employees. He also earned his Maryland nursing home degree and license making Calvert the first hospital in MD to establish an 18 bed Transitional Care Unit.

Jim became a mentor to many people while at Calvert. He also could not have achieved these accomplishments without the help and guidance of the talented individuals that served with him. He is eternally grateful to all of the staff, at every level of the organization, that helped make Calvert Hospital an integral part of the community. When Jim retired in 2015, he became one of the longest serving president and CEOs of any hospital in Maryland.

Jim was very active in statewide healthcare issues and served in several leadership roles with the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA). In 1996, MHA awarded him its highest honor for distinguished service. Jim also served on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board. Additionally, he served on various statewide healthcare boards including the Professional’s Advocate Insurance Company and Care First Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Board. After his retirement, he started his own consulting company, Health Strategies Advisory Group, which assisted small independent physician practices with their business operations and strategic initiatives.

Jim’s greatest joy in life was his family and friends. The family enjoyed many wonderful trips together while Sarah and Daniel were growing up, including frequent trips to Florida and California to visit family. The children’s many activities, sports, and academic pursuits were at the center of his life. He was a very proud dad to say the least. He was also a devoted dad to the family Goldendoodle, Chessie. Jim shared a passion for golf with his son, Daniel, and attended more University of Maryland Terps basketball games than one could count.

During the latter part of his life, Jim battled cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a stem-cell transplant. In May 2016, Jim was one of 20 patients in the world to undergo a new type of CAR-T cell immunotherapy trial at NIH. This was a successful treatment, and after becoming cancer free, he devoted his attention and love to cancer support groups, including There Goes My Hero, and the Ulman Fund, and helping individuals navigate their cancer journeys.

The family would like to thank Jim’s incredible medical team, and nursing staff who gave him such compassionate care during his most recent battle with cancer. The hospital that Jim so lovingly helped to grow during his career, became his home away from home during his final days.

Family and friends are welcome to pay respects at the visitation at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings, on Thursday, February 2  between 2-4 pm, and 6-8 pm.  A service will be held on Friday, February 3, at 11 am, at St. James Parish, in Lothian, MD. Interment and a luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of sending flowers, gifts in Jim’s memory may be made to the James J. Xinis Memorial Fund benefiting the cancer care program of the CalvertHealth Foundation at www.calverthealthfoundation.org or via mail to CalvertHealth Foundation, PO Box 2127, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Also, gifts may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/, or by mail to: Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.