A heartfelt legacy: COSAM alumnus Dr. Robert Copeland receives Georgia Heart Center naming recognition, recalls journey at Auburn

Published: May 17, 2022

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The Georgia Heart Clinic at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center has been officially renamed the Copeland Heart and Vascular Center by the Callaway Foundation in honor of Auburn University alumnus Dr. Robert Copeland.

Copeland, a 1960 pre-med graduate, was instrumental in the development of the Georgia Heart Clinic at West Georgia Health in 1972 and served as its first medical director providing cardiac care to the Troup County community.

Copeland was recognized as a true visionary in adopting new technology, encouraging participation in research and training and setting high standards for clinical excellence in cardiovascular care. He was instrumental in the state’s decision to participate in the Cardiovascular Patient Outcomes Research Team, or CPORT, study, a study which changed care of the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, or STEMI, patient for the nation by allowing percutaneous coronary intervention at hospitals without surgery on site.

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