Welcome New Member Jeffrey T. Cope, MD

Dr. Jeffrey T. Cope is a cardiothoracic surgeon with Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, where his focus is on adult cardiac surgery. He was born in Lancaster, PA and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College before attending the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He spent the next decade at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, during which time he completed an internship and residency in surgery, served as surgical Chief Resident, and devoted several years to research fellowships. Before joining Penn State Health in 2020 he was with Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health, where he held the position of Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Cope is a veteran of the United States Air Force and an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

The Berks County Medical Society welcomes Dr. Cope and thanks him for his support. To get to know him a little better, we asked him to respond to a few questions:

Describe the focus of your practice and any areas of special interest/ expertise.

I am a cardiothoracic (CT) surgeon with a special focus on adult cardiac surgery. I am experienced in the full gamut of adult cardiac surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (ie CABG), heart valve repair and replacement (including minimally invasive approaches and TAVR), thoracic aortic surgery (including stent grafts, or TEVAR), surgery for atrial fibrillation, and implantation of mechanical cardiac assist devices (including ECMO and ventricular assist devices).

Why did you decide to practice medicine in Berks County?

I have 20 years of clinical experience, mostly in the community sector. Previously, I worked for Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health as a CT surgeon and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Since July 2020 I have been with Penn State Health, and hold clinical staff privileges at Hershey Medical Center, Holy Spirit Medical Center, and St. Joseph Medical Center. In May 2021 I answered the call to fill an urgent need for an experienced lead surgeon CT surgeon at Penn State St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading. St. Joe’s is now my focus and is where I am pleased to spend 95% of my clinical time. As I am a native of neighboring Lancaster County, community practice in Berks County is a natural fit for me.

What do you like best about practicing medicine?

What I like best about practicing medicine is the ability to use my God-given talents to serve others. Also, it is very satisfying to see the progression of healing with some very sick patients. Many of my patients present with imminently life-threatening conditions, subsequently undergo cardiac surgery with all of its attendant risks of morbidity and mortality, and the overwhelming majority gradually recover to live vibrant and quality lives. I always get a lift when I see a patient back in my office who had surgery a month prior, who is now well down the road to recovery and their activity and lifestyle are no longer limited by their heart disease.