A surgical oncologist, Edibaldo Silva-Lopez, MD, PhD, has had a long career saving and improving lives. Now, he’s embracing his next role as a grandfather.
“Becoming a grandfather for the first time at age 70 has pushed my retirement plans up,” said Dr. Silva-Lopez, professor in the UNMC Department of Surgery Division of Surgical Oncology. “My wife wishes to be closer to our two boys and their newborns.”
Dr. Silva-Lopez’s formal retirement is mid-June after more than 13 years at the medical center. He joined UNMC after a chance meeting at Reagan National Airport, while waiting for a return flight to Omaha. There, he met Ken Cowan, MD, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, who became interested in the comprehensive breast care center Dr. Silva-Lopez had set up as a faculty member at Creighton University.
The rest is history. While at UNMC, he is credited with launching a number of initiatives of which he is proud. Helping patients, however, has been most rewarding, he said.
Dr. Silva-Lopez knew he wanted to work in the cancer arena ever since completing his PhD in molecular biology. Long before he completed his education and training (he started college at 17 and finished at age 37), he knew private practice wasn’t for him.
“I thrive on the challenge to teach and keep up with new information and advancements and share that with my great residents and medical students,” Dr. Silva-Lopez said. “I never thought I would work anywhere but in a teaching hospital. I have never had any regrets. Although we have some difficult times with complicated patient care, I never had a bad day at work. I worried a bit on occasion, but that is part of being a caring doc.”
He also has tried to dispel the stereotype of surgeons having a poor bedside manner.
“When I was in training, I was once told by my mentor; ‘If you were a nastier person (he actually said something else) you would be a better surgeon.’ I have spent my whole life trying to dispel that myth.”
Now, he’s wrapping up his career during a pandemic.
“Given my age and my wife’s age, the pandemic led us into hibernation at home,” Dr. Silva-Lopez said. “The hospital has been my second home and respite, which may sound odd. I respect the remarkable discipline of my colleagues in nursing, building maintenance, etc., in helping us get through this pandemic.”
Have a wonderful and fulfilling retirement! Many thanks for the incredible care you gave two of my family members. Warmest regards.
Wishing you and your wife a fun-filled retirement with those grandbabies! Thank you for all you've done for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. Thank you for the expert care you gave my sister. It was wonderful to work with you during my 6-1/2 years in surgical oncology, and I know my daughter loved working directly with you for the patient advocacy program. You will be missed!
Congrats, Edibaldo, on a great career. I always enjoyed interacting with you. It was always enlightening every time you would discuss breast cancer. Enjoy the next chapter.
Congratulations on your retirement Dr. Silva-Lopez, you've more than earned it and are very much appreciated for your years of service and compassion for the people you cared for. Enjoy this next chapter in your life!
It has been a privilege to work with you and learn from you. We will miss you for advice and collaboration but wish you a wonderful life closer to grandkids. Best wishes. Hamid
Truly a fine physician and surgeon -thank you for all the gentle care of People in our health care system!
Sincerely, Mary Gallagher Jansen
Thank you not only for your dedication to keeping on the cutting-edge of your field, but also for your willingness to answer EVERY question posed by each patient. Please know that all of your former patients (myself included) are very appreciative of your "patients first" approach to medicine. We will miss seeing your smiling face on campus. Enjoy retirement!
We will miss you so much!
Thank you for the wonderful care you gave my younger sister! She (& we) are so grateful for you! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Dr. Silva,
You can be certain that you have achieved your goal. As a physician for our family, we always felt that you provided the best of bedside manners. You have been so generous with your time, and attentive to details and to our needs. You have helped thousands of people in their worse of times feel better. You will be missed! Enjoy a well-deserved retirement!
An amazingly kind and knowledgeable (walking encyclopedia) physician, a wonderful colleague and a warm human being. Of all the many things we will miss, we will miss your presence the most! Happy retirement (looks like you may be busy 🙂 my friend!
You have made a difference in so many lives and will be missed – two of your patients in the past week have told me how sad they are to be "losing you"! We all wish you the very best. Thanks for being an incredible physician, role model, teacher, and researcher. You are truly leaving a lasting impact!
I had the very, very good fortune to work with Dr. Silva first at Creighton and then at UNMC. Dr. Silva has touched the lives of so many people, not just patients, but all of us who have worked and learned with him. He has a passion for knowing about cancer, exquisite skills as a surgeon, and a generosity to share his knowledge that is wrapped in an all-encompassing kindness toward all. There are so many stories that could be shared of the times that he did something "extra" just because he thought someone needed it. Dr. Silva, you are the embodiment of all that is good in people and you will be sorely, sorely missed!
You will be greatly missed Dr. Silva! You are such a kind and gentle soul. Enjoy your time with your family and adorable grand babies! 🙂
Gracias Dr. Silva por todas tus enseñanzas en este corto tiempo en el que he estado contigo. Aspiro a seguir tu ejemplo en este trabajo. Un abrazo, enhorabuena y hacia adelante!
Was very pleased to have you as my oncologist at Creighton University and then at UNMC. You will be missed by so many. Enjoy the next phase of adventures with your kids and grandkids. All the best!
Val Green