About
Jessica L. Buicko Lopez, MD, FACS, is a fellowship-trained endocrine and breast surgeon who specializes in all aspects of endocrine surgery including thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and neuroendocrine tumors, as well as breast cancer diagnostics and surgical therapy.
Buicko Lopez graduated from Johns Hopkins University as a scholar-athlete where she earned a degree in biology and played on the nationally ranked women’s lacrosse team. She then continued her studies at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, graduating with distinction (Alpha Omega Alpha and Iron Arrow Honor Societies). She then completed a general surgery residency at the University of Miami.
During residency, she received many honors including being named Resident of the Year on multiple occasions. She was given the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons’ Resident Achievement Award in addition to the University of Miami’s Humanism Award during her training.
Buicko Lopez went on to complete her fellowship in Advanced Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell and Memorial Sloan Kettering and underwent advanced training in breast surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery, including both robotic and laparoscopic surgery at these institutions.
Buicko has authored or co-authored over 50 scientific publications, eight book chapters, and presented her work at local, state, and national meetings.
Prior to joining UTHealth Houston, she worked as an educator at both the UME and GME levels and has faculty appointments with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the University of Miami. She served as the program director of FAU’s general surgery residency program.
Buicko Lopez is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, and several other local and national societies. Buicko’s husband, Mike Lopez, MD, is a cardiothoracic surgeon with UTHealth Houston. They have two children, Luke and Lola.