Jim Copeland to be honored at French Hospital's annual foundation gala

French Hospital Medical Center will honor local business leader Jim Copeland with the Louis Tedone M.D. Humanitarian Award at its annual foundation gala Saturday as well as unveil plans to expand its Family Birthing Center.

Copeland was selected because of his reputation as a respected business leader and community advocate, according to a hospital news release.

Over three decades, Jim Copeland and his brother Tom Copeland helped to expand their family’s San Luis Obispo shoe store into Copeland Sports, a 36-store sports retail chain that spanned four states, before selling the company.

In addition, Jim Copeland was integral in the revitalization and beautification of downtown San Luis Obispo, supporting projects such as the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly; Downtown Centre, with its theaters, restaurants and stores; the Court Street shopping center; San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum; and the Old Mission retrofit project.

He has served on the hospital’s Community Board for 10 years, and played an important role in creating the Copeland, Forbes and Rossi Cardiac Care Center and Copeland Health Education Pavilion, according to the news release.

The hospital will also unveil plans at the event for a $4 million remodel and expansion of its Family Birthing Center, including remodeling private birthing rooms, adding a waiting area and new C-section suite, said Deborah Nicklas, vice president of philanthropy for French Hospital Medical Center Foundation. The hospital hopes to raise $200,000 for the expansion at the event.

French will be seeking donations for a “Baby Recognition Wall” that will be dedicated to Dr. Louis Tedone in honor of his many years serving the children and families of the community.

This story was originally published September 5, 2014 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Jim Copeland to be honored at French Hospital's annual foundation gala."