Michael G. Florence M.D.

He was born on September 15, 1949, in Atlanta, GA to Thomas J. Florence M.D. and Glenna Smith Florence. Michael spent his childhood in North Atlanta and at his family's summer home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Upon Graduating from high school, he attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. He graduated in 1971 with a BS in Chemistry. He then went on to medical school at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. During his final year of medical school, he was invited to the University of Washington by Dr. Thomas Shires who offered him a surgical externship. Michael then fell in love with the mountains & waters of the Pacific Northwest. It was the beginning of his life in Seattle. It was there on surgical floor 4 East at University Hospital that he met a nurse named Gwen who would eventually become his wife. They were married in 1980, and they settled on Mercer Island and raised their two wonderful children Jameson and Kelsey. After completing his residency in general surgery Michael took a position as active instructor in the department of surgery at U.S. Public Health Hospital. The following year he started his private practice at Providence Hospital. There he was mentored by Dr. Hilding Olson and Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Thomas W. Jones. Both were excellent clinicians and teachers. At Providence he remained active training University of Washington surgical residents and medical students for several years, eventually becoming Chief of Surgery.

In 1986, Michael joined Dr. Michael Hart and other physicians at the Arnold Pavilion at Swedish Hospital Medical Center. He held the position of Chief of Surgery and Chair of Surgical Quality Improvement Committee and continued to be active in the Swedish General Surgery Residency Program until his retirement in 2019. Michael was also a University of Washington Clinical Professor of Surgery. He was awarded the University of Washington Department of Surgery Alumnus Award in 2011. He was also one of the founders of the University of Washington S.C.O.A.P(Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program) and was Chairman of the Board.

He was affiliated with several organizations: Pacific Coast Surgical, North Pacific Surgical, Seattle Surgical, American College of Surgeons (Governor), Henry Harkins, Surgical Society (President), Washington State Chapter American College of Surgeons (President).

While his work as a surgeon was the center point of his life, his love of the Pacific Northwest continued. He enjoyed sailing, biking and skeet shooting with family, friends, resident and fellow physicians. Michael loved his work but cherished his vacation trips with his family, ski trips and the annual trip to visit his parents in Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains and especially the Florence Nature Preserve.

Most of all, Michael was a dedicated physician and a caring and kind person. He cared deeply about his family and those he mentored, hoping they would be able to endure the changes happening to the practice of medicine. He will always be remembered and greatly missed.

He leaves behind Gwen, his wife of 45 years. His son Jameson Florence (Holly Sato M.D.) and daughter Kelsey Florence and Granddaughter Remi Florence. He is also survived by his sisters Camile Coers (Wil) and Cheryl Pratt (Tracie) and their families.

A Celebration of Michael's Life will be held on April 6, 2025, at 1:00 pm. Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport, 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Swedish General Surgery Resident Program

University of Washington Henry Harkins Society

Kline Galland Hospice