HFMA member dies in September 11 attack - HFMA News - Ian J. Gray - Brief Article - Obituary

Healthcare Financial Management, Nov, 2001

HFMA member Ian J. Gray was a passenger on American Airlines flight 77, and was killed along with 63 other persons when the plane crashed into the Pentagon on September 11. Gray was a principal with McBee Associates, Inc., a national healthcare consulting firm headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, since 1980. He was 55 years old.

According to Larry Sparacino, director of marketing and human resources for McBee Associates, Gray was esteemed by the McBee Associates staff because he enthusiastically encouraged their professional development. "I've never seen a manager invest quite so much time in developing people, from entry-level through management," said Sparacino. "All the staff knew they could go to him with questions, and that he would provide an honest, reasoned answer, perhaps challenging them with a question in return. He had a magnetic personality and a genuine interest in the professional and personal lives of the staff members."

Sparacino related that Gray assigned himself a specific job during parties attended by McBee Associates employees and their families--he looked after employees' children at these events so employees could enjoy the day. "He was the unofficial daycare person," said Sparacino. "If you wanted to find Ian, you only needed to look for the kids."

Sparacino said Gray's healthcare expertise was far-reaching, encompassing third-party payment issues, home health care, and hospital revenue cycles. He was responsible for all finance functions of the organization. "He played a significant role in the development and leadership of the company," said Sparacino.

Gray was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in 1968. Before joining McBee Associates, Gray was manager for provider reimbursement for Blue Cross of Maryland. He held a BS from the University of Cambridge, Foulkes Lynche School of Accounting, in London, England.

Gray is survived by his wife, Ana Raley, and a daughter, Lisa Gray, from a previous marriage. Raley is CEO of Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington, D.C. A fund has been established in the name of Gray's daughter.