JORGE LOPEZ VETERAN HEALTH HERO Veterans’ contributions to our country continue long after their service – they continue to serve our country in civilian life. Such is the case with Dr. Lopez, a veteran of the United States Air Force. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico and medical degree at Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico City, Dr. Lopez completed the specialty of Emergency Medicine at the Puerto Rico Medical Center in 1990, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Lopez joined the United States Air Force in 1988 as an active-duty officer while in medical training and served at Scott Airforce Base in the hospital emergency department from 1990-1992 during the First Gulf War. He was initially commissioned as a Captain and honorably discharged as a Major by 1997. Dr. Lopez continued to contribute to the health care profession and his community following his military service through his appointment in 1994 as Medical Director and election appointment in 1999 as President/CEO of Florida Emergency Physicians, a private medical group providing emergency services to the AdventHealth system in all its Central Florida hospitals. During 2005-06, Dr. Lopez served as President of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians, the statewide professional organization representing emergency department doctors. In addition to providing emergency medicine physician services to AdventHealth in all its Central Florida hospitals, Dr. Lopez led medical relief teams as the state of Florida's Lead Physician in response to Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Dr. Lopez was appointed as a member of the Florida Board of Medicine (Board) ME D I CA L QUA L I T Y A S S UR ANC E | F L O R I D A V E T E R A N H E A L T H H E R O E S 1 3 from 2014 to 2022, and served as Chairman of the Board in 2018. As demonstrated by his commitment to serve in multiple local and global medical missions, including to Ethiopia, Puerto Rico, and Peru, Dr. Lopez is the epitome of a Veteran Health Hero. Deservingly, Dr. Lopez has been awarded various accolades, including a Philanthropist of the Year Award, Better Man Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Community Service Local and Abroad Award, and the Puerto Rico Legislature Honorable Recognition. Dr. Lopez credits his father, a 99-year-old veteran Lieutenant of WorldWar II “whose mission was to guard against any invasion the U.S. West Coast,” with giving him the “guardrails and laying the foundation [for him] to learn leadership and become more disciplined.” Even in his spare time, Dr. Lopez may be seen volunteering through the Advent Health Foundation or enjoying photography and the sport of golf. He is thankful for his spouse who is similarly community-minded, stating: “I am very fortunate to have married my wife, Aida, who was recently recognized with a prestigious Women of Color STEMAward. I’m very happily married with someone who loves service as much as I do.” Reflecting on his contributions, Dr. Lopez stated: “If you live long enough, things will happen.” While true, it is not lost on us that Veteran Health Heroes like Dr. Lopez who dedicate their lives to serving others could use their time differently but chose to use it selflessly, instead. We are honored you chose to serve our country and continue to do so through your profession – thank you, Dr. Lopez!
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