Life Stories: Thankful and Enjoying the Gift of Life Everyday

Ruben Lopez, MD

Tissue Recipient and Living Organ Donor: Harlingen, TX

As a physician, as well as a tissue recipient and an organ donor himself, Dr. Ruben Lopez understands the vital importance of organ and tissue donation. While performing and teaching surgery, he has seen first-hand how important the gift of life can be to everyone it touches: recipients and donors, and their families, friends, and colleagues.

Dr. Lopez completed his residency in General Surgery in May of 1996 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. After finishing his residency, he completed several fellowships at world-renowned hospitals such as MD Anderson and the Texas Heart Institute. It was during his Cardiothoracic Fellowship that Dr. Lopez donated a kidney to his brother.

Then, eleven years after being an organ donor, Dr. Lopez discovered that he had to have a malignant tumor removed. That’s when he received a tissue graft and became a transplant recipient.

Dr. Lopez’s first faculty position was at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he served as a Clinical Instructor in Surgery. He presently serves as Associate Professor of Surgery with the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Lopez is also the program director and instructor for the Advanced Trauma and Life Support course.

As a cardiovascular surgeon, tissue recipient, and organ donor, Dr. Ruben Lopez understands the importance of donation in every way.

Considering his personal and professional experience with organ and tissue donation, it is no wonder he is chairman of the Valley Baptist Health System Organ Donation Committee. Dr. Lopez also currently serves as the Trauma Medical Director and the Chief of Surgery at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.

Dr. Lopez’s story is courtesy of Texas Organ Sharing Network, headquartered in San Antonio, TX.