HLS 19RS-3272 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 280
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Dr. Christopher John Rich,
M.B.A.
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of
3 Dr. Christopher John Rich, M.B.A.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of Dr. Christopher John Rich,
6on January 19, 2019, at the age of sixty-two; and
7 WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was born to Ralph and Jean Gillis Rich on February 29,
81956; a native of San Antonio, Dr. Rich was a three-year varsity football player as an
9offensive lineman at Louisiana State University (LSU) and earned Academic
10All-Southeastern Conference honors; and
11 WHEREAS, after graduating from LSU, Dr. Rich earned his doctor of medicine
12degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, and thereafter, competed his
13orthopaedic surgery residency at LSU; years later, Dr. Rich returned to school and earned
14a master's degree in business administration at the University of Tennessee; and
15 WHEREAS, from 1988 to 2011, Dr. Rich was managing partner of Mid-State
16Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, retiring from clinical
17practice in 2010; during his tenure as managing partner, Mid-State received the honor of
18No. 1 in orthopaedics for the state of Louisiana in 2004 and 2007 by HEALTHGRADES;
19and
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HR NO. 280
1 WHEREAS, as an integral part of the Northwestern State University (NSU) sports
2medicine program, Dr. Chris Rich served as the director of sports medicine and head team
3physician for the Northwestern State Demons from 1990 to 2010; and
4 WHEREAS, he served in a voluntary consulting role with the NSU team physicians,
5sports medicine staff, and athletic administration in monitoring and addressing various
6medical and health-related issues that have become prominent in intercollegiate athletics;
7and
8 WHEREAS, Dr. Rich also played a role in promoting best practices and
9evidence-based medicine, as well as stewardship of financial resources related to medical
10care for the NSU Athletic Department; and
11 WHEREAS, revered by his peers, Dr. Rich was honored many times over; he
12received the Distinguished Service Award at NSU; in 2005, he was inducted into the
13Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame; in 2013, Dr. Rich received the Outstanding
14Leadership Award from the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association; the association later
15awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service with the organization; and
16 WHEREAS, Mid-State Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine renamed the annual
17physical day for health screenings for local high school athletes "Chris Rich High School
18Physical Day"; and
19 WHEREAS, Dr. Rich served on the University Academic Medical Board with
20oversight of business operations and management of the new $1.6 billion LSU Medical
21Center in New Orleans and served as the medical director for the Louisiana Office of
22Worker's Compensation Administration from 2011 to 2015; and
23 WHEREAS, Dr. Rich was a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic
24Surgeons, past president of the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association, a member of the
25American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine, and a charter member of the Louisiana
26Sports Medicine Society; and
27 WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich served his community proudly and was a member of
28Calvary Baptist Church where he and his wife, Vickie, were active and strove to live their
29lives walking in Christian faith; and
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HR NO. 280
1 WHEREAS, he was an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, helping to raise funds for
2local charities and nonprofit organizations that touched countless lives; and
3 WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was active in the community socially and politically, and
4he and Vickie particularly loved to host parties and enjoyed the pleasure of countless friends;
5and
6 WHEREAS, a favorite pastime of Dr. Chris Rich's, when not working, entertaining,
7or spending time with his family, was traveling to various locations with Vickie to explore
8a city or country's culture and history; and
9 WHEREAS, Dr. Christopher Rich, M.B.A., is survived by his loving wife of
10thirty-five years, Vickie; children, Jeffrey Rich, and his wife Kim, Margaret Rich, and her
11fiancé Will, and Stacie Keller, and her husband David; grandchildren, Jack, Jesse, Sadie, and
12Wade; and brother, Tony Rich, and his wife Fran; and
13 WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was a distinguished member of his community, someone
14committed to leaving the world around him a better place, and his legacy is one of being
15dedicated to all endeavors in life, to faith in his church, and to love of family.
16 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
17Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of
18Dr. Christopher John Rich, M.B.A.; does hereby record for posterity his manifold
19contributions to the medical field and to his community; and does hereby express the deep
20regret of the entire state upon the loss of this wonderful man.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
22family of Dr. Christopher John Rich.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 280 Original 2019 Regular Session Hoffmann
Expresses condolences on the death of Dr. Christopher John Rich, M.B.A.
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