ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 280
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of
Dr. Christopher John Rich, M.B.A.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of Dr. Christopher John Rich,
on January 19, 2019, at the age of sixty-two; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was born to Ralph and Jean Gillis Rich on February 29,
1956; a native of San Antonio, Dr. Rich was a three-year varsity football player as an
offensive lineman at Louisiana State University (LSU) and earned Academic
All-Southeastern Conference honors; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from LSU, Dr. Rich earned his doctor of medicine
degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, and thereafter, competed his
orthopaedic surgery residency at LSU; years later, Dr. Rich returned to school and earned
a master's degree in business administration at the University of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, from 1988 to 2011, Dr. Rich was managing partner of Mid-State
Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, retiring from clinical
practice in 2010; during his tenure as managing partner, Mid-State received the honor of
No. 1 in orthopaedics for the state of Louisiana in 2004 and 2007 by HEALTHGRADES;
and
WHEREAS, as an integral part of the Northwestern State University (NSU) sports
medicine program, Dr. Chris Rich served as the director of sports medicine and head team
physician for the Northwestern State Demons from 1990 to 2010; and
WHEREAS, he served in a voluntary consulting role with the NSU team physicians,
sports medicine staff, and athletic administration in monitoring and addressing various
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medical and health-related issues that have become prominent in intercollegiate athletics;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rich also played a role in promoting best practices and
evidence-based medicine, as well as stewardship of financial resources related to medical
care for the NSU Athletic Department; and
WHEREAS, revered by his peers, Dr. Rich was honored many times over; he
received the Distinguished Service Award at NSU; in 2005, he was inducted into the
Louisiana Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame; in 2013, Dr. Rich received the Outstanding
Leadership Award from the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association; the association later
awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service with the organization; and
WHEREAS, Mid-State Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine renamed the annual
physical day for health screenings for local high school athletes "Chris Rich High School
Physical Day"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rich served on the University Academic Medical Board with
oversight of business operations and management of the new $1.6 billion LSU Medical
Center in New Orleans and served as the medical director for the Louisiana Office of
Worker's Compensation Administration from 2011 to 2015; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rich was a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons, past president of the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association, a member of the
American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine, and a charter member of the Louisiana
Sports Medicine Society; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich served his community proudly and was a member of
Calvary Baptist Church where he and his wife, Vickie, were active and strove to live their
lives walking in Christian faith; and
WHEREAS, he was an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, helping to raise funds for
local charities and nonprofit organizations that touched countless lives; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was active in the community socially and politically, and
he and Vickie particularly loved to host parties and enjoyed the pleasure of countless friends;
and
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WHEREAS, a favorite pastime of Dr. Chris Rich's, when not working, entertaining,
or spending time with his family, was traveling to various locations with Vickie to explore
a city or country's culture and history; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christopher Rich, M.B.A., is survived by his loving wife of
thirty-five years, Vickie; children, Jeffrey Rich, and his wife Kim, Margaret Rich, and her
fiancé Will, and Stacie Keller, and her husband David; grandchildren, Jack, Jesse, Sadie, and
Wade; and brother, Tony Rich, and his wife Fran; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Rich was a distinguished member of his community, someone
committed to leaving the world around him a better place, and his legacy is one of being
dedicated to all endeavors in life, to faith in his church, and to love of family.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of
Dr. Christopher John Rich, M.B.A.; does hereby record for posterity his manifold
contributions to the medical field and to his community; and does hereby express the deep
regret of the entire state upon the loss of this wonderful man.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Dr. Christopher John Rich.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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