Richard Vinroot Jr. '88 receives Charlotte Latin's Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Vinroot with his sister, Laura, his father, Richard Sr., and

his mother, Judy.

Emergency physician Richard (Rich) A. Vinroot Jr. ’88 received the 2009-2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Charlotte Latin School on Friday, March 26, and addressed students, faculty and staff during the Upper School’s Cum Laude Society induction ceremony.

The annual Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes the Charlotte Latin alumnus whose outstanding achievements have distinguished himself or herself and have demonstrated extraordinary service to society. Such achievement may include contributions in business, military service, philanthropy, public service, medicine, or entertainment. The recipient shall conduct himself or herself with strong character and high honor and shall be a role model for today’s Charlotte Latin students.

Since his graduation from Charlotte Latin, Vinroot has traveled the world to bring medical care and comfort to his patients, who are often struggling to maintain some semblance of human dignity in the most desperate conditions. He remained in New Orleans immediately following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and for months afterward, treating patients in tent hospitals and temporary facilities such as the Superdome.

Vinroot has participated in medical mission trips to Nicaragua and Mexico, and for eight months he supervised a tuberculosis prevention program in the Mathare slums outside of Nairobi, Kenya. He most recently treated patients in Haiti following the horrific earthquake there in January.

Vinroot was accepted by Doctors Without Borders in 2008 after completing his residency in emergency medicine at Louisiana State University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in history and Medical Doctorate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2008, the Louisiana State University Health Science Center presented Vinroot with the Acadian Ambulance Senior Excellence in EMS Award for exemplifying the best in emergency medicine practice.

Vinroot currently serves on the medical staff of the Ochsner Clinic Foundation and lives in New Orleans. He is the son of former Charlotte mayor Richard A. Vinroot and his wife, Judy.