Alum Dr. Andrew Lustig 80F Pivots from Life of Wealth to One of Service
The corporate life was profitable, but unsatisfying to the community-minded alum. Now he's being recognized for global humanitarian work.
Dr. Andrew Lustig 80F led a successful multimedia corporation in New York City, but felt his life was missing something; he wanted to help others. So, he pivoted.
Lustig moved to New Mexico, earned his medical credentials, became an emergency medical technician, then a naturopathic doctor. When he wanted to expand his humanitarian reach even further, he created the nonprofit Global Outreach Doctors (also known as GoDocs). The organization provides critical medical care and rescue services in countries affected by war, famine, and natural disasters.
The organization has provided hurricane relief in the U.S., cared for Syrian and Venezuelan refugees, and provided critical care in Iraq, Kenya, and Ethiopia. It addressed gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and created a clean water project in Nepal.
“I’m a raindrop in the ocean, but I want to be part of the solution, even in the tiniest way,” Lustig said. “When I wake up in the morning, I want to know I’ve helped tens of thousands of people.”
Santa Fe's The New Mexican featured Lustig in an article called, “10 Who Made a Difference." Since 1985, the paper has been publishing a holiday series recognizing people from throughout Northern New Mexico whose selfless and tireless volunteer work has bolstered their communities.