Anesthesiologist and entrepreneur Ted Stanley, MD, 77, died from prostate cancer complications on July 13, The New York Times reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Stanley most notably helped create the fentanyl lollipop. The lollipop delivers drugs to cancer patients in a palatable fashion.
2. The lollipop was primarily prescribed for cancer patients but also has been used for migraines, cluster headaches, severe pain and arthritis among others.
3. Dr. Stanley, a New York native, came to the medical field after his dreams of playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers and being a musician were dashed. He said a medical career was his last resort.
4. He earned a bachelor's degree in zoology, chemistry and music and his medical degree from New York City-based Columbia College. He completed a fellowship in cardiology and anesthesiology at Salt Lake City-based University of Utah.
5. Dr. Stanley was a member of the team that implanted the first artificial heart in a human patient.
6. He developed a burgeoning investment company which culminated with him creating and selling Anesta Corp. Anesta went public in 1994 and Dr. Stanley sold it in 2000 for approximately $450 million.