Senate Resolution 38

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND MEDICAL LEGACY OF DR. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS "SONNY" RUSH III WHO FOUNDED THE ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE PROGRAM AT RUSH HOSPITAL IN MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, we join the medical community and the citizens of Meridian, Mississippi, in mourning the passing of respected Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Gustavus Rush III on August 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gustavus Adolphus "Sonny" Rush III was born on September 29, 1952, in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1970 as Class President. Dr. Rush attended the University of Mississippi from 1970-1974. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, where he was fondly known as "The Governor." Dr. Rush received his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1978, and completed his residency training in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans in 1984, where he served as Chief Orthopedic Resident; and

WHEREAS, after completing his residency in 1984, Dr. Rush joined Rush Foundation Hospital as a third generation of Rush physicians, and founded the Rush Orthopaedic Program. He spent his entire 38-year career at Rush Hospital. During this time, he improved and enriched the lives of countless patients and friends. Dr. Rush performed over 20,000 surgeries during his career and had many other tremendous work accomplishments. In 1987, he founded the Rush Sports Medicine Team, a group of orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists and athletic trainers who supported over 40 local high schools and colleges in Mississippi and West Alabama. In 1992, he founded Rush Sports Medicine Research and Development. Inspired by his desire to protect young athletes, he patented several cutting-edge technologies such as protective helmets and concussion sensors; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonny, as he was affectionally known by his patients, treated work like a blessing, none of it like a chore. To him, being a doctor was every bit as fun and enjoyable as his hobbies. It is no coincidence that he routinely had clinic on late Friday afternoons. He loved taking care of patients, and his life was firmly dedicated to that; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen Rush; five children: Heath Rush, Lane Rush (Caroline), Alston Rush (Jena), Logan Rush (Anne) and Callie Waite (Tanner); seven grandchildren: Lane Rush, Jr., Luke Rush, Ben Rush, Lillian Rush, Henry Rush, Clara Jane Rush and Drew Rush; and siblings, Diane Douglas (Pete) and Harriette Carney (Bill). He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Gustavus Adolphus Rush, Jr., and Virginia Arline Rush; and sister, Jeannine Rush Savell; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most respected medical professional and public-spirited citizen of Mississippi, whose leadership and enormous civic energy will be missed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute to the life and medical legacy of Dr. Gustavus Adolphus "Sonny" Rush III who founded the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Program at Rush Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi, and express the deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Gustavus Adolphus "Sonny" Rush III, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Rush Memorial Hospital, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.