Copeland Fund Furthers Legacy of Political Activism for Residents and Young Ophthalmologists

The Academy will honor one of our greatest advocacy champions through the Robert A. Copeland Jr., MD Advocacy Education Fund. The fund helps the Academy continue Dr. Copeland’s work of engaging young ophthalmologists and residents in our profession’s advocacy efforts. Before his sudden death in April, Dr. Copeland devoted a great amount of energy to helping his students, residents and others in the Academy’s community of U.S. ophthalmologists understand the impact of advocacy on patient care. The fund will continue this work by covering the annual expenses for one resident to attend the Academy’s Mid-Year Forum in Washington, D.C. The fund’s annual recipient will be known as the Copeland Fellow. Make your tax-deductible contribution today.

The Academy wants to raise at least $50,000 for the Copeland fund, which will allow a permanent endowment. The members of the Academy’s OPHTHPAC® political action committee seeded the fund at AAO 2016 with an $8,500 donation 

Dr. Copeland chaired the ophthalmology department at the Howard University College of Medicine and was a leader in advocacy for our profession. He required all Howard residents to attend the American Academy of Ophthalmology Mid-Year Forum. He believed that being a steward for patient care requires not only clinical excellence, but also playing an active role in shaping how health care is managed in the United States. 

“We advocate daily for our patients and individuals less fortunate, who need our intervention to make a situation more palpable,” Dr. Copeland wrote in an “I Am an Advocate” piece for aao.org. “To advocate for our ophthalmology profession is an honor. When we advocate, we are first advocating for our patients’ safety and well-being.” 

To honor his accomplishments and dedication to education, contribute to the fund at aao.org/copelandfund.