Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS

Ronald L. Copeland, MD, FACS, is senior vice president and chief equity, inclusion, and diversity officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals.

Through multiple collaborations, he leads Kaiser Permanente's equity, inclusion, and diversity strategy and initiatives to ensure Kaiser Permanente members achieve health care experiences and outcomes that are high-quality, equitable, and increasingly more affordable.

Dr. Copeland is a visionary leader dedicated to driving equity, inclusion, and diversity in health care. He leverages his unique experience in medicine, science, and business to create impactful and sustainable solutions that empower communities and foster inclusive and equitable health care outcomes and experiences.

Dr. Copeland’s distinguished career spans both medicine and leadership. A retired board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Copeland joined Kaiser Permanente in 1988 after a 6-year honorable tour of duty in the United States Air Force Medical Corps. Dr. Copeland served as president and executive medical director of the Ohio Permanente Medical Group before assuming his current role in 2012. Under his leadership, the Ohio Center of Excellence for Culturally Competent Care was developed and achieved groundbreaking results and national recognition.

Dr. Copeland’s commitment to EID extends beyond Kaiser Permanente. He serves on the boards of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, the National Organization on Disability, and the Center for Healthcare Innovation, demonstrating his dedication to broader systemic change.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at the State University of New York Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

A passionate advocate for social change and community empowerment, he has received numerous awards for his leadership and commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity, including Top Diversity Leader by Diversity & Leadership, Inc., and Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Diversity Leaders in Healthcare for 3 consecutive years. He also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for “Community Service and Commitment to MOTTEP,” for his work to support minority organ tissue transplant education.