George C. Nichopoulos facts for kids

George Constantine Nichopoulos (October 29, 1927 – February 24, 2016), also known as Dr. Nick, was an American physician of Greek descent. He was best known as Elvis Presley's personal physician. Although Nichopoulos retained his medical license after Presley's death, the Tennessee Medical Board eventually permanently revoked Nichopoulos's license in light of his practice of overprescribing to many patients over multiple years.

Early life and education

Born in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, Nichopoulos moved to Anniston, Alabama, during his infancy where his father, a Greek immigrant, opened a restaurant called Gus' Sanitary Cafe.

From 1946 until 1948, he served in the Army Medical Corps in Germany before studying at the University of the South, where he received his B.S. in 1951. Nichopoulos subsequently earned his M.D. at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1959.

Career

Nichopoulos began treating Presley in 1967 for saddle sores, and took it on as a full-time job in 1970 until Presley's death in 1977. His son Dean Nichopoulos sometimes served as an assistant for Presley, taking care of his wardrobe. George Nichopoulos was not present at Graceland the day Presley died. In fact, he was so hard to contact that he only had the time to jump into the departing ambulance, which had not been called immediately after finding Presley's lifeless body. Saying that he "attempted to save his life" might be exaggerated, as it was obvious to even non-medical staff that Presley had been dead for several hours when his entourage found him in his bathroom. His face was rigid to the point that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was impossible, according to Joe Esposito, and had already turned blue. Cook Nancy Rooks' testimony is that she heard a "loud noise upstairs" around 9:30 - 10:00 a.m., about four hours before Presley's body was finally discovered. Nurse Marion Cocke stated: "It was so evident he had been gone a long time". There were some revival attempts at the hospital, just in case, during which Nichopoulos was present, but it was clear after 15–20 minutes that it did not make any sense. Nichopoulos was also present at the autopsy, but the contents of Presley's stomach had been pumped out and thrown away shortly after his arrival at the hospital. Nichopoulos served as a pallbearer at the funeral.

In 1985, he started a solo practice called We Care, Inc.

After he was stripped of his credentials in 1995, Nichopoulos worked for a short time as Jerry Lee Lewis's road manager. He later took a job evaluating medical insurance claims by FedEx employees. No longer a doctor and in need of money, Nichopoulos sold many of the items he received from Presley at auctions, and at one point had a travelling exhibit, showing off his doctor's bag with some of the medications he prescribed for Presley.

Death

George Nichopoulos died in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 24, 2016, after an extended illness, aged 88. He is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

See also

• People referred to as "Doctor Feelgood"
• Prescription drug
• Theodor Morell