About this presenter:
Lawson Ashley Bragg Copley, MD
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery & Pediatrics
University of Texas Southwestern
Lawson Copley, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon and director of the Musculoskeletal Infection (MSI) Program at Children’s Health℠. He is also part of the orthopedic medical staff at Texas Scottish Rite for Children.
Dr. Copley started the MSI Program after noticing how often children were admitted with deep infections in the bones, joints, muscles and other parts of the body. Yet at the time medical care for these patients was not standardized, and families would be shuffled around to multiple departments and doctors for various examinations. Under Dr. Copley’s direction, the MSI Program has adopted a family-centered model that brings the family together with the multidisciplinary team in one room for an open discussion about the patient’s treatment.
Dr. Copley says this approach not only helps standardize care for patients and improves outcomes, but it also helps bring peace of mind to families.
“They come into the hospital with a lot of uncertainty because their child was fine the day before but suddenly can’t use their arm or leg,” says Dr. Copley. “I generally see a lot of relief when we show them the lab results and images, explain the diagnosis and tell them how their child is going to get better. They now know they’re in the right place.”
Dr. Copley graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College and received his medical degree from Kansas University Medical Center. He completed both his internship in general surgery and his residence in orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed the Dorothy and Bryant Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics and Scoliosis at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Dr. Copley is a veteran of the United States Air Force and served as chief of surgical services, 96th Medical Group. He continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves and says it gives him the opportunity to serve the country.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Copley spends time with his three children, all of whom have taken up various musical instruments. Dr. Copley also plays the guitar and piano and enjoys performing together with his children.
