[StBernard] Red Cross' Red Hot Roast

[Westley Annis]

Red Cross' Red Hot Roast
By Kim Gritter 
September 27, 2009, 11:22AM
Time and again we've all heard the expression that laughter is the best
medicine. It's been said that a good chuckle can reduce stress, lower blood
pressure and have a beneficial effect on your overall well-being.

This year's American Red Cross roastee, Bryan Bertucci, a physician and St.
Bernard Parish coroner, knows a thing or two about what makes good medicine.


"I've offered myself up to be roasted because I have nothing to hide -- at
least I don't think so. We'll see, " Bertucci said. "Laughter is the best
when we're laughing at ourselves."

Bertucci will be roasted at the St. Bernard Chapter's first Red Hot Roast
and Silent Auction to be held since Hurricane Katrina.

The 11th annual event is set Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Frederick J. Sigur
Civic Center grand ballroom, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette.

Tickets are $50 per person. Tables of 10 can be reserved. For information or
tickets, call 504.277.8163.

Proceeds from the roast will help the chapter provide various services,
including disaster preparedness education, services to those in the armed
forces, and lifesaving skills courses in first aid, water safety and CPR for
people of all ages.

Bertucci, who has been practicing medicine for nearly 30 years, was elected
as St. Bernard Parish's coroner in 2002. A Jesuit High School graduate,
Bertucci holds degrees from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and the
University of Alabama, as well as a medical degree from Louisiana State
University.

Bertucci was instrumental in getting the St. Bernard Health Center opened
after Katrina destroyed the parish's lone hospital, Chalmette Medical
Center, which did not reopen.

For his tireless efforts Bertucci has been honored with several awards since
the storm. In 2006, he received the Collifonianum Award from Spring Hill
College for being an outstanding doctor, and in 2007 he received several
accolades, including the Ignatian Award from Spring Hill College for
outstanding service to his community; the American Academy of Family
Practice Presidential Recognition Award for outstanding service and
professionalism during and after Katrina, and in reestablishing medicine in
St. Bernard Parish; and the City Business Club's Hurricane Medical Hero. He
also was named the St. Bernard Business and Professional Women's Club's 2007
Man of the Year.

An active member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church and the St. Bernard
Chapter of the American Red Cross, Bertucci, 59, and his wife of 35 years,
Ruth Frey Bertucci, have four sons, one daughter and five grandchildren.

Bertucci's sense of humor is evident in the many inspirational and humorous
plaques that don the walls of his Chalmette practice.


>From the tongue-in-cheek signs that say "Nobody gets in to see the Wizard.

Not nobody. Not no how, " and the "I'm really easy to get along with once
you learn to see things my way, " to the more inspirational adages like
"Never give up" and "Life is fragile, handle with prayer, " all of them are
thought-provoking and designed to keep you entertained while you wait.

In addition to raising money for a good cause, Bertucci said he thinks his
time in the hot seat will serve several purposes.

"I think it's nice when we can start making fun of ourselves in a homegrown
atmosphere. I think that's important, " he said. "Part of your healing
process and one of the things that gets you through trouble is laughter, so
hopefully we can have a good laugh and have some fun."

Bertucci said bringing back events like the Red Cross' roast is just another
important step in our recovery.

"This is an opportunity for people to make memories and review things and
see where they've been and be grateful for how far we've come because we've
come a long way, " he said. "Rebuilding is important, but in the process I
tell people that we have to make memories, and if you can make memories in
Katrina time, then you can make memories at any time in your life."


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