Dr. John J. Cope has joined SVMC General Surgery and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physician Group. For Dr. Cope, a medical career offered an ideal way to combine his interest in science with his desire to work with people in a personal way.
“I had a real pull towards biology in school,” said Dr. Cope. “Becoming a surgeon has been the perfect way for me to develop my interest in the subject while also experiencing the satisfaction of working in a field where I can care for others.”
“When I discovered surgery in medical school, I learned a lot by observing how the surgeons dealt with all aspects of what was often a critical situation. They had to use their surgical expertise to help the patient and also work with the patient and family to facilitate the healing process. ”
Dr. Cope received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and completed his surgical residency including his chief resident year at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. While there, he served as a clinical instructor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine’s Western campus. Most recently, he practiced in the intensive care unit as a surgical critical care fellow at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut.
Said Dr. Cope, “It was satisfying for me to interact with the surgeons during my training. They worked with their patients to diagnose and treat them, but they also had to have great communication skills with the patients and their families. It is important to me to have both the scientific and personal aspects in my own practice.”
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) offers Dr. Cope a place where he can use both types of skills. “When I first came to SVMC, I had a feeling it was different. The physicians I met with were all very knowledgeable about the latest medical treatments and were really friendly. They truly care for their patients on a more personal level.
“My wife is from Pittsfield, Mass,” he added, “So even though I’m originally from Long Island, we already have a family connection to the area. We’re really happy to be a part of the Bennington community.”
Dr. Cope lives in Bennington and enjoys skiing, running, and also playing the piano. Dr. Cope’s office will be in the Medical Office Building at 140 Hospital Dr. in Bennington, Suite 203.
SVMC General Surgery and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center are part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), an integrated health system providing care for patients in Bennington and Windham Counties in Vermont, Rensselaer, and Washington Counties in New York, and Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Physician services for SVMC General Surgery are provided by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physicians. SVHC includes the VNA & Hospice of SVHC, the Centers for Living & Rehabilitation, the SVHC Foundation, and the SVMC Northshire and Deerfield Valley Campuses.