A Memorial for Dr. Rorick

Riverhills lost a valued member of its community. Marvin H. Rorick, III, MD, a neurologist with the practice since 1988, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at age 66.

Dr. Rorick was dynamic and popular with patients and colleagues alike.

“He enmeshed his patients with his life, sharing his love for travel, sports, and the arts,” says fellow neurologist and friend, Michael Schmerler, MD, who had known Dr. Rorick since hiring him over 30 years ago. “They all loved him. He was not only a terrific doctor, but every interaction with him as a friend was warm and kindly.”

A medical doctor first and foremost, Dr. Rorick was also a passionate advocate for his fellow physicians and worked steadily with representatives on healthcare reform and tort reform. He also believed patients should have more accessibility to health care—not just those with jobs or insurance. Dr. Rorick was a published author and an active speaker throughout the region—a kind of ‘renaissance man’ observed one friend.

A former president of the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, Dr. Rorick was very active politically with the Ohio State Medical Association. He served on several committees, including:

• Ohio State Medical Political Action Committee, District I Chairman, 2000-2018
• Ohio State Medical Association, First District Councilor, 2005-2018
• American Medical Association (Representative for Bethesda Hospital, 2001-2005)
• Division Director, Neurology, Christ Hospital, Cincinnati
• Division Director, Neurology, Bethesda North Hospital, Cincinnati
• Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, Council Advisory Member
• Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, Chairman, Legislative Affairs, 1998
• Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, Chairman, Communication Committee, 1997
• American Academy of Neurology

A native of Ohio, Dr. Rorick did his undergraduate work at Tufts University in Medford, MA, then completed graduate studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati was followed by a residency in neurology at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati. He then joined Riverhills Neuroscience in 1988. Dr. Rorick received his board certification in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 1991 and has since focused mainly on treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, headaches, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, and providing pain management.

Dr. Rorick and his wife were avid arts enthusiasts, supportive of the Cincinnati Art Museum and appreciative of jazz and classical music. Dr. Rorick was also a golf enthusiast, and had recently been able to play his dream round on the St. Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland.

He is survived by his wife, Lindsay Rorick, two daughters, Paige Skrickus and Kelly Giovannini, one grandchild, Macy Skrickus, and one expected grandchild.

“He was one of the leaders here with his big and charismatic personality.” says Dr. Schmerler. “Losing him has left a big hole in his family and our community,”