| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Salary | N/A |
| Birthdate | January 22, 1948 |
| Birthplace | Rugby, North Dakota, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | N/A |
| Profession | Politician, former hospital administrator, entrepreneur |
| Nationality | American |
Don Gaetz, an American politician, has an estimated net worth of $30 million. His net worth has been primarily accumulated from his successful career as a politician, former hospital administrator, and entrepreneur.
Don Gaetz was born on January 22, 1948, in Rugby, North Dakota. His father, Jerry Gaetz, was a prominent figure in local politics and served as the mayor of Rugby and a state legislator. Unfortunately, Jerry Gaetz passed away from a heart attack during the 1964 Republican National Convention, an event that Don witnessed on television as a 16-year-old.
Don Gaetz graduated from Concordia College and later obtained his M.P.A. from Troy State University. In 1978, he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he embarked on a career as a hospital administrator.
Don Gaetz’s career spans across politics, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
During his tenure as a hospital administrator, Gaetz successfully lobbied the state legislature to create hospice care programs for the dying. His efforts contributed to Florida becoming the first state in the United States to implement licensure laws for hospice care practitioners.
In 1982, Gaetz played a significant role in passing the Federal Hospice Care Reimbursement Act, which made hospice care a covered benefit under Medicare. One year later, he and a group of partners transformed a non-profit hospice organization called VITAS into a for-profit healthcare company known as Hospice Incorporated, later rebranded as VITAS Healthcare.
Today, VITAS Healthcare is the largest provider of end-of-life healthcare services in the United States, operating in approximately 50 hospitals across 14 states and the District of Columbia. With approximately 12,000 healthcare professionals in its employ, VITAS Healthcare serves around 20,000 patients daily.
In 2004, VITAS was acquired by Chemed, the parent company of Roto Rooter, for $400 million. Chemed, which is now a publicly-traded company with a market capitalization of $7.5 billion and annual revenue of $2 billion, primarily operates through its divisions, Roto Rooter and VITAS Healthcare.
Don Gaetz is married to Victoria Quertermous, also known as Vicky Gaetz. Vicky worked as a pharmacist for over two decades. The couple shares two children, including politician Matt Gaetz.
Don Gaetz’s net worth has seen significant growth and fluctuation throughout his career. The sale of VITAS Healthcare to Roto Rooter’s parent company, Chemed, in 2004 left him with a net worth of $25 million. As of current estimates, his net worth stands at approximately $30 million.
Don Gaetz’s net worth primarily stems from his entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry. His involvement in converting VITAS into a for-profit healthcare company contributed significantly to his wealth accumulation. Additionally, his career as a hospital administrator and his political endeavors have also played important roles in his net worth.
In conclusion, Don Gaetz’s net worth of $30 million is the result of a successful career in politics, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. From his early contributions to the hospice care industry to his role as a politician and influential figure in Florida, Gaetz has made significant strides in both personal and professional endeavors.