Andrew Hargroder

With a profound sense of sadness and heavy hearts, we announce Dr. Andrew “Drew” Gerard Hargroder, loving husband, father, brother, and friend, died Sunday afternoon December 6th, 2020 at the age of 63. He was born on January 31st, 1957 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised in Jennings, Louisiana. He has resided in Baton Rouge for the last 30 years.

Drew spent over 30 years practicing medicine as the General Surgeon and Medical Director of the Burn Unit at the Baton Rouge General and later as a Bariatric Surgeon. His handsome smile and the cowboy boots he wore with his scrubs were adored by his patients and hospital staff. Many may not realize that outside of his skills and achievements in medicine, Drew was a chef, pilot, musician, welder, avid hunter and fisherman, and had a passion for horses. His love of rock n’roll, cooking, and the Saints brought together a core group of family, colleagues, and friends on a near daily basis. He loved to cook and grill, especially “Louisiana style,” and many family and friends enjoyed his culinary talents.

After completing his Bachelor of Science Degree from USL in Lafayette, Louisiana, he entered Medical School at LSUMC in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned his M.D. and entered his general surgery residency, also at LSUMC, where he was named Outstanding Surgical Resident twice during his training. Dr. Hargroder was then accepted into the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas for a fellowship in Burns and Surgical Critical Care under the leadership of the renowned Dr. Basil Pruitt. Subsequently, he returned to practice in Baton Rouge in general surgery and served as the Medical Director of the Baton Rouge General Burn Unit for 14 years.

In 2002, Dr. Hargroder began to devote his expertise and practice to advanced laparoscopic techniques and bariatric surgery, which he continued actively until his passing. Dr. Hargroder’s practice received a Surgery Center of Excellence designation, certified by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Hargroder was a member of the local and national chapters of ASMBS and was a bariatric surgery instructor for Ethicon Endosurgery since 2006. He was the Bariatric Medical Director at Vista Surgical Hospital from 2004-2008. He was also the current Bariatric Medical Director at OLOL-Ascension. In addition, Dr. Hargroder was an investor and supporter of Cypress Pointe Hospital for many years. He changed so many lives through his work at the burn unit and his bariatric practice touching all of us with his commitment as a physician.

Drew was also appointed to Mid-south Bank Board of Directors in 2015 and elected to MidSouth Bancorp, Inc Board of Directors in 2017. He served on various risk and compliance committees during his years of service.

Drew made an impact on everyone he met. It didn’t matter if you were a colleague, deckhand, oyster shucker, bellman, housekeeper, bait salesman, waiter, bartender, plumber or just a friend…you were all treated the same. But if you knew Drew, you knew his family was his most prized possession, and he adored his wife more than anything in this world.

Drew is survived by his loving wife, Renee, and his children: Andrew Luke, Virginia Grace, and Hannah Claire Hargroder, his siblings: Matthew Hargroder (and wife, Janet), Joey Hargroder (and wife, Kim), Fara Hargroder (and husband, Greg Miller), and John Hargroder, as well as his mother-in-law, Nancy Midkiff, numerous nieces and nephews, and his extended family: David and Susan Dyson and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Joe Hargroder, his father-in-law, Bobby Midkiff, and his dear friend, Jim Welsh.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hargroder’s devoted office and surgery staff of many years. We are also so thankful for the medical and surgical staff at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center for their tireless and exceptional care of Drew including Dr. Roy Cullotta for going over and beyond. A very special thanks to our angel, Dr. David Ferachi, for his continuous care and love for Drew.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you would like to leave the family your condolences, please do so on https://www.resthavenbatonrouge.com/obituary/ Andrew-Hargroder. In honor and memory of Dr. Andrew Hargroder, the family has requested donations be made to Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Hargroder’s charity fund. We are in the process of setting up funding for organizations Dr. Drew and his family cared deeply about, such as an LSU Medical Center scholarship fund. Donations can be made on Dr. Hargroder’s website at https:// www.andrewhargrodermd.com or via pay pal @charityfundingorg