Medical Entrepreneur George “Doc” Lopez, MD Supports Students

A 1973 CU School of Medicine alumnus, George “Doc” Lopez, MD is a tremendous example of the far-reaching impact of scholarships — valuable resources that helped him realize his dream of becoming a physician. In his 47-year career, Dr. Lopez, now retired, has become well-known for inventing infusion therapy devices to enhance and save lives at the point of care, and for his many contributions to the field of medicine.

Dr. Lopez experienced success early in his career, beginning medical school before he even had his undergraduate degree. He joined the CU School of Medicine his junior year on a partial scholarship, after initially attending San Jose State University in California, where he grew up.

Dr. Lopez views his acceptance into CU as the defining point of his career. He said, “I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t gotten into medical school.” One of the few out-of-state students in his class, Dr. Lopez felt welcomed and empowered by the diversity of thought and leadership at the CU School of Medicine. Dr. Lopez recalls that on the first day of class, the dean said those in the room were among the brightest in Colorado, and the out-of-state students were their top applicants. It was a moment of realization for Dr. Lopez, especially as his father wanted him to do physical labor instead of going to college.

Dr. Lopez is a person who looks for solutions, which is evident in his career. He not only became a physician, but also maintained an entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to inquiry. He saw opportunities to improve the practice of medicine, in addition to treating patients. While he began his career as an internist, a traumatic experience with a patient caused him to think outside of his clinical capabilities.

“He was a 38-year-old man with a wife and two boys,” recalled Dr. Lopez. “He came rolling into the ICU where I was working, with chest pain and shortness of breath.” The patient was experiencing a life-threatening viral heart infection. During his care, his IV line became disconnected accidently, and he passed away as a result. Dr. Lopez made a commitment to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, which drove him to invent a device that would lock an IV into place. He saw this as a simple solution to an unnecessary, lethal problem. Yet, when he tried to sell his device to multiple companies, he was unsuccessful.

Dr. Lopez traveled the country pitching his idea to friends who became early investors and co-founders of ICU Medical, with the goal of producing a device called the ClickLock system. This critical device alleviates the risk of IV needle dislodgement, which could affect not only patients but also healthcare workers potentially exposed to disease. The ClickLock system is now the standard equipment used to administer IVs in hospitals in the U.S. and around the world.

The success of the ClickLock system led to the development of other medical devices, including the Diana TM , a ChemoClave® system named after Dr. Lopez’s wife, Dr. Diana Kostyra Lopez, who passed away from cancer in 2006. The ChemoClave® system includes needle-free vascular access devices that allow pharmacists and nurses to safely mix and administer drugs used to treat cancer patients.

Within the infusion therapy marketplace, Dr. Lopez’s inventions are considered “best in class” and his presence is a force in the medical device industry. Since ICU Medical’s founding in 1984, its products have saved countless lives and the company has grown exponentially. In 2014, Dr. Lopez retired as CEO and chair of the company, but has remained on the board of directors. Under his leadership, the company has broadened its impact with products designed for use in hospital operating rooms and intensive care units.

Even today, Dr. Lopez’s drive to ask questions and improve lives continues in his personal quest to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, having been diagnosed in 2008. In addition to his achievements in medicine, Dr. Lopez enjoys many outdoor pursuits including skiing, surfing and swimming.

During his storied career, Dr. Lopez left an enduring footprint on the medical world. In 2018, he was honored with the Distinguished Achievement Award for work benefiting the community, the field of medicine and the provision of healthcare, by the CU Medical Alumni Association. While reflecting on all he has accomplished, Dr. Lopez emphasized that the early scholarship support he received gave him access to experiences and opportunities that, in turn, defined his career.

Dr. Lopez is immensely grateful for his success, and believes that the best way to ensure others have the same opportunities he did is to support the next generation of medical students. With the establishment of the George “Doc” Lopez, MD, Distinguished Scholars Fund, Dr. Lopez’s giving philosophy is simple: “It’s the right thing to do.”

Through this four-year scholarship, Dr. Lopez supports students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine, who are eager to earn a CU School of Medicine degree. He noted that the school’s emphasis on inclusiveness and diversity is prominent today, as it was during his time as a student. His gifts position the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to train diverse classes of doctors and entrepreneurs who are dedicated to pursuing their dreams and eager to change the world.

Dr. Lopez hopes the recipients of his scholarship will go on to “pay it forward” when they are able. He intends to help guide the best and brightest students along many career paths, whether caring for patients, finding tomorrow’s treatments or creating businesses to improve medicine.

By removing the burden of debt, Dr. Lopez hopes to bolster students’ ability to change the future of medicine and to leave a lasting mark on the world.

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