The Georgia Free Clinic Network has named La-Grange cardiologist Robert Copeland as its first recipient of the Champion of Free Clinics award.

While Copeland is honored by the recognition, he said the award “shouldn’t go to one person. I’ve been talking about a free clinic for years, but Tom Gore is the one who made it happen. My commitment was to do what I like to do - deal with patients. Tom put the board together and really got the thing going. I suspect they didn’t know what they were getting into.”

Copeland and fellow cardiologist Gore founded the Troup Cares Medical Clinic that officially opened in April 2008. Copeland continues to see patients every week and has recruited other volunteer physicians to see patients as well. He is the medical director of the clinic and has served on the board of directors from its beginning.

“Specialists in the Medical Park have been particularly generous,” Copeland said. “The hospital and local pharmacists have made it possible for us to do this.”

Volunteers have done a variety of jobs to start and continue the work at the clinic. Office workers, grant writers, nurses and others have been part of the success of the clinic that now has more than 200 patients - most of whom are seen on a regular basis.

“The thing I’m proudest about is, this clinic does truly represent a local effort to take care of our own problems. When the heart clinic was dedicated 25 years ago, the speaker said he came because the heart clinic was a compelling example of people using their own resources to develop the means for taking care of their own problems.

“I think Troup Cares is another example of the same thing. We’re not expecting someone else to do something for us. I’m proud of that,” he said.

Copeland is attending a meeting of the American College of Physicians and was not able to accept the award. Ken Young, who works with the clinic, accepted the award on behalf of the entire clinic.

“This belongs to the clinic, not me,” Copeland said.

Donna Lopper, executive director of the Georgia Free Clinic Network said the award represents Cope-land’s servant heart.

“The poor and uninsured are fortunate to have him. We need many more like Dr. Copeland throughout the state,” she said.

Troup Cares clinic sees uninsured Troup County residents who are currently employed or have been employed in the last six months. Residents must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

The award was presented at the Georgia Free Clinic Network annual meeting in Atlanta.

Sherri Brown can be reached at sbrown@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 240.