The Copeland family has donated $1 million to French Hospital Medical Center to support the hospital’s expansion plans.

James and Sandra Copeland and Thomas and Pamela Copeland announced the donation today, saying it will help bring increased patent capacity, upgrades and new technology to the 40-year-old hospital.

“Quality health care and education elevates values and is at the top of the list in attracting the best and brightest to locate and invest in our community,” said James Copeland, chairman of the hospital’s community board in a news release.

Specifically, the hospital’s expansion project calls for an advanced cardiac hybrid surgical suite, an expansion and remodeling of the intensive care unit, a new outpatient surgical suite, a new wing with oncology beds and a remodeled and expanded birthing center.

“This modernization and expansion project will literally transform most every area of the hospital and guarantee that the most advanced technology and superior available to the community,” said Alan Iftiniuk, the hospital’s chief executive officer.

In 2007, the Copeland family joined the Forbes and Rossi families to help fund a cardiac care center at the hospital that helped the hospital be named one of the top 50 cardiac hospitals in the nation.