Born to be wild

He’s a respected nephrologist and community activist. But, after hours, Dr. Roderick Clark dons a do-rag for his true passion – riding Harleys.

His “baby”— a pristine 1959 Harley-Davidson B 125 Hummer 125 cc motorcycle. “I always wanted a ’59 – that’s when I was born,” he said.

Reared in Lafayette, Clark grew up under the tutelage of his father, a refrigeration and air conditioning specialist. Starting at 13, he spent summers wiring houses and installing air conditioners. His Dad taught him all about engines– cars, boats and bikes. As a teenager, Clark’s hobby was repairing mini-bikes and motorcycles. Eventually, he started restoring vintage Corvettes and Harley-Davidsons.

Clark’s current collection, stored in climate-controlled buildings at his camp and home, includes a yellow Harley-Davidson Road Glide, a 1968 Harley-Davidson three-wheel servi-car, a 65 cc Harley motorcycle, two 90 cc cycles and a 125 cc Harley dirt bike. He has restored a 1962 Harley Davidson Scat with 175 cc engine and a 1964 Pacer. When he goes out to his father’s property in Chicot State Park, he rides a Harley MT 500 Military motorcycle.

His latest project was rebuilding a 1959 Hummer engine with his Dad. The two transformed a “rust bucket” into a work of art. Clark’s father taught him how to braze the worn cast-iron ridges using a precise welding technique. Clark plans to display the refurbished engine, looking as good as new, on a stand in his office. “It was really a joy to do that with my Dad, because he was the one who got me interested in all this stuff,” he said.

When it came to a career choice, however, Clark veered away from mechanics. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to become a doctor. After graduating from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana – Lafayette), he studied medicine at LSU Medical School in New Orleans. He returned to Lafayette for his residency at LSU’s University Medical School. While in med school, he met and married fellow physician and UL graduate Tina Benoit. Both physicians completed their residencies in internal medicine and are fellows of the American College of Physicians.

Excelling at physiology, Clark decided to specialize in nephrology at the urging of mentor Maximo Lamarche. He completed his fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. While there, he had the privilege of being taught by highly respected physiologist Arthur Clifton Guyton, who had authored one of Clark’s medical school textbooks.

In 1992, Clark and his bride returned to Lafayette to practice. Dr. Tina Benoit Clark works as a professor of medicine at UMC. Further down Congress Street, Dr. Rod Clark practices nephrology for Acadiana Renal Physicians, a group of 10 kidney specialists.

Besides his bike fervor, Clark is passionate about treating patients with kidney disease. He serves as director and case management clinical advisor for Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center’s Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic. He is also a board member of the Louisiana State National Kidney Foundation and medical director for Louisiana Kidney Update Research, LLC. Additionally, he is past president of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society and currently serves as an Area District 9 Counselor for the Louisiana State Medical Society.

While Clark was serving as LPMS president, Katrina hit. He recruited a team of physicians who treated over 3,000 patients at the Cajundome over a two-week period. He also served as a board member for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Unit (LEMU), which provides portable medical services to disaster victims.

Sixteen years ago, Clark founded the Acadiana Renal Physicians Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the National Kidney Foundation of Lafayette and local charities. Since that time, the tournament has raised over $250,000 for the foundation. This year’s event is slated for November at Oakbourne Country Club.

When time permits, Clark enjoys fishing. Donning his office wall is a photo of his grandfather holding a 65-pound catfish that the two caught in Toledo Bend. He also fishes at his father’s pond in Chicot.

As evidenced by the memorabilia in his office, Clark’s greatest love is his family. Rod and Tina have been married for 24 years. Their children, Christopher, Cassie and Chase, all excel in sports. Twenty-year-old Christopher, a ULL pre-med major, was a nationally-ranked inline speed skater and member of St. Thomas More High School’s district championship soccer team. Cassie, a senior at St. Thomas More, is the track team’s premier 400-meter sprinter.

Chase, a sophomore at STM, is a soccer player extraordinaire who also played on last years’ state championship team. Clark is heavily involved in his kids’ activities, volunteering as a soccer coach, basketball coach and Louisiana Speed Skating activity sponsor.

As for future goals, Clark gratefully says, “I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I would have in my life. I’m very blessed.”

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