Dr. Copeland is a native of the Upper Cumberland Area and grew up in Cookeville. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University and received his medical degree from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Copeland also completed his general surgery residency at ETSU. Dr. Copeland started his private practice in general and vascular surgery in Cookeville in 1994 and formed Middle Tennessee Surgical Specialists, LLC.

Dr. Copeland has been involved in many aspects of surgical care in Cookeville and at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He initiated and developed the peripheral vascular surgery program at CRMC beginning in 1994. He has served as the cancer liaison physician for CRMC’s cancer program. He has served on several hospital committees including chairman of the Department of Surgery and as a member of the Medical Staff Executive Committee.