Congratulations to Aaron D. Dotson, MD on being named the 2024 recipient of the Robert A. Copeland Jr. Advocacy Education Award, a joint effort of the Academy’s OPHTHPAC Committee and National Medical Association - Ophthalmology Section. Dr. Dotson will attend the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Mid-Year Forum as a participant in the Advocacy Ambassador Program! 

Robert A. Copeland Jr., MD, the founding member, and inaugural chair of Howard University’s Department of Ophthalmology, made his mark by nurturing students in their development as physicians and as advocates for their patients. 

Dr. Copeland stressed the effect of advocacy on patient care and believed that being a steward for patient care required not only clinical excellence, but playing an active role in shaping how health care is managed in the United States. Dr. Copeland’s education award was created after his passing in 2016 to honor his legacy. 

Dr. Dotson grew up in Inglewood, California. He completed college at UT Dallas, where he studied neuroscience while minoring in music. He’s played classical piano for more than 23 years and is a past national competitor. He then attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where he was the Co-Present for the SLU SNMA Chapter. Next year he will be completing a 1-year fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at UC San Francisco. Dr. Dotson is passionate about mentorship and advocacy, as he’s invested many years in mentoring others in Black Men in White Coats & the Minority Ophthalmology Mentorship (MOM) Program. Dr. Dotson is especially passionate about cornea transplant surgery and hopes to use his gifts to help others globally.