Today, Alexandria lost one of its most respected community leaders and businessmen, A.C. Buchanan, who served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Rapides Regional Medical Center.
During his tenure at Rapides, he oversaw an incredible period of growth, and because of his stewardship, Rapides remains as one of the best hospitals in the State of Louisiana, servicing a 12 parish area of more than 400,000 people.
He wasn’t just a businessman; he was an important part of the community. And he will certainly be missed.
Mr. Buchanan died after battling leukemia. He was only 56 years old.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Buchanan’s family during this difficult time.
CenLamar 
I was honoured to have met A.C. through his beautiful wife Lisa, although I did not know him well, he was a remarkable and loving man who made my friend so incredibly happy. He will be missed.
I was the lucky one blessed with the opportunity to have met and known A.C. through his beautiful wife Lisa. He was certainly a very kind, generous gentleman and was bigger then life in my opinion. My heart goes out to his family for their loss. May many blessings, prayers and healing angels surround his family and friends and may he be remembered until the end of time.
I never had the honor of meeting AC but felt his spirit through how highly his beautiful wife spoke of him. I am truely saddened by the news of AC’s passing. Thoughts of healing energy are being sent to Lisa and her whole family. Be well and hold one another close. Cherrish your beautiful memories and your love lives on.
Deepest sympathy to those who are grieving the loss of Mr. Buchanan. He was a real servant of the people, the best kind of leader whose commitment is an example of true leadership and whose work lives on as a tribute to him. I know he will be missed by many.
To Lisa and her family, my deepest sympathy on the loss of AC. He sounded like a wonderful man and it is my loss that I never had a chance to meet him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sending my sympathy to Lisa, her family and all who knew AC. May knowing that so many people are thinking about you and sending you prayers for comfort and healing help you through your loss.
Prayers and angels are on the way to AC’s family. Lisa, my heart goes out to you. Your cyberfriends are all sharing your grief.
I never had the pleasure of meeting him but I know his wife from atcs for all.
I am very sorry for this families loss and my prayers are with all of you.
May God Bless Each Of You~
Dearest Lisa:
Please know that we all send our prayers to you and your family at this sad time, and that we will be holding you in the Light in the coming months. How wonderful that you and A.C. were gifted with such a loving relationship, and that there are so many good memories for you to hold in your heart. It sounds as if your husband gave of himself to his family and community with such grace that his memory will last a very long time.
My husband, AC Buchanan, was sent by me to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, the top medical research hospital, not only in the USA, but the world. He was put on a experimental drug specific to his type of cancer. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
Would you go to a podiatrist for brain surgery?
I am sorry, but your ignorance is showing.
Mrs. AC Buchanan (Lisa)
The above comment is addressed to Nigel, by the way, if that wasn’t obvious enough… for those that are not astute enough to figure it out on their own.
Thank you to everyone that posted such wonderful and kind remarks to me, it is greatly appreciated.
Lisa, our thought and prayers are with you, and your family.
Your feelings for AC always shone clearly in the forums at atcards, and he must have been a very special man to deserve such obvious devotion. We’re all thinking of you, sweetheart.
Lisa is one of my closest friends and I know she appreciates all the kind remarks, especially from those who didn’t have the distinct pleasure of knowing A.C., one of the kindest and most remarkable men I have ever known, and my husband’s very best friend. Since most of you obviously didn’t know him personally, and since it hasn’t been said, you all need to know how important A.C. was to his church family at St. James Episcopal Church. A.C. was the very best advertisement for Christianity, a man who was loving, nonjudgmental, and so at peace with himself and the world, that all who knew him had to envy him and want what he had. (Nigel, had you known him, perhaps you wouldn’t be the surly, disgruntled person you obviously are.) I can think of no other passing that has affected my entire family so profoundly. We share your grief, Lisa, and we love you.
Lisa,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I want to echo Karen From’s comments about your beloved husband, A.C. Buchanan. He was a great leader and a great person. There are many people who assume leadership roles, but very few who are true leaders. A.C. was one of them. Recently, I read an article in Time magazine titled, “What Makes a Great Leader” by Nelson Mandela. I could not help but to think of A.C. as I read Mandela’s words. A.C. led by example, and therefore, those around him were motivated to do their very best. I couldn’t agree more with Karen’s comment that A.C. was “the very best advertisement for Christianity.” He treated everyone with respect, no matter their station in life. It was an honor to work with him.
I cannot imagine anyone making comments about the choice of a medical facility. The job of a loved one is to seek the most appropriate treatment possible. Sometimes the best option is in one’s hometown and sometimes it is not. The physicians I know would say the same thing to their patients without regard for what they do for a living. Certain facilities have experimental treatments and other protocols that are unavailable at home. You did exactly what any loving wife would do.
Lisa, it was very apparent that A.C. felt so blessed to have you and the family you both shared. I will continue to pray for you as you struggle to cope with your unimagineable loss.
My comments come some time after A.C.’s passing. As I mentioned to Lisa in a separate email, I happened across the sad news while looking for something else on the internet. I had the honor and privilege of working for several years with A.C. at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Texas in the mid 1990’s. A.C. was a kind, generous man from whom I learned much and whose friendship I valued. My condolences and best wishes to his friends and family.
THE MOTTO of FEMA is “PACE AC BELLO MERITA” and i translated this from italian into english and i
got this
BEAUTIFUL PEACE AC DESERVES
i wonder if ac was illuminati
I came across this only today as I have been battling my own demons, cancer for a very long time. At least for now, I have prevailed.
I did have the opportunity to meet A.C. While a volunteer/rescue pilot during Katrina. I resent the remark left by Nigel and You cause my heart to ache to know that someone in all their grief has to put up with this bullshit.
Lisa, I am sorry, truly sorry for your loss. with my whole heart, mind and soul.
Pax Vobiscum, Dominus Vobiscum
Your friend
Mark
Mr. Bellamy,
Please contact me. I am AC’s daughter and would love to hear of your meeting.. and also to know how your cancer journey is going.
foodbankbarbie@aol.com
Shannon