Veteran begins medical school

Demus Copeland has spent his adult life building a career through education and public service. He is now enrolling in medical school to continue his work helping local veterans.

Copeland is a Birmingham native from the Woodlawn community. He served eight years in the Marine Corps. After leaving the military, he earned a real estate license and practiced real estate law. He also ran for the office of Shelby County Tax Commissioner.

The decision to enter medicine stems from a desire to clarify misconceptions about service members. Copeland stated that some people believe all veterans who return from war have mental health issues. He argues that veterans are regular people who follow orders. He wants to use his new medical training to correct these views.

Copeland is currently finishing his 17th academic degree. He plans to start at the University of Antigua College of Medicine. The school awarded him a $55,000 scholarship to support this transition. This funding allows him to continue his advocacy work through a medical lens.

His interest in medicine grew while he was in law school. A cousin who is a pediatrician was finishing her residency at the same time. She explained the process to him, which sparked his interest. He saw a connection between his legal practice and medical work, particularly in medical malpractice cases.

Copeland has a background in psychology and law. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2021. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. He passed the bar exam last year and opened his own law practice. He believes these fields work together to help people understand their rights and options.

A 2008 accident shaped his view on advocacy. While in the Marine Corps Reserves, his vehicle slid off an icy highway. The car went over an embankment. A close friend died in the crash. Copeland walked away from the incident. A subsequent class action lawsuit introduced him to the legal system. He realized many people did not know their rights or the benefits they were entitled to.

He now focuses on educating veterans about available resources. He noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers many benefits. These include education payments, career change assistance, and startup funds for law practices. He also mentioned mental health services. Copeland said learning about these resources after leaving the military helped him share the information with others.

Copeland’s military service included a non-combat deployment to Djibouti. He focused on building relationships with the local community. He said this experience showed him that the military does more than fight wars. However, he also witnessed the impact of war on his peers. He saw two service members take their own lives during his service. This experience was a major reason he pursued a degree in psychology.