The Gift of Time: Celebrating the Stan and Mary Ellen Cope Family Endowed Chair in Thoracic Surgery
Written by Laura Alsum
Apr 4, 2025
In late February, 42 guests gathered at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building for a heartfelt celebration of the Stan and Mary Ellen Cope Family Endowed Chair in Thoracic Surgery – a testament to the power of generosity and the enduring impact of compassionate care.
The endowed chair was born from the deep gratitude of Stan and Mary Ellen Cope due to the exceptional care that Stan received at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and specifically from Robert Meguid, MD, MPH. Their generous gifts, combined with support from the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, have created a lasting legacy in honor of Stan, who has since passed away.
Dr. Meguid is the inaugural holder of the chair. His expertise in cardiothoracic surgery, coupled with his dedication to improving surgical outcomes, has earned him this distinguished honor. Dr. Meguid's research spans thoracic oncology, surgical risk assessment and quality improvement in surgical patient care. His commitment to excellence is a beacon of hope for countless patients and their families.
As Dr. Meguid took the podium at the celebration, he spoke with sincere appreciation. "I am so fortunate today to be receiving this incredible honor based upon the generosity of the Cope family and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery," he shared. “CU has been the fertile soil for my growth. Your endowment is the fertilizer for this soil. Generous contributions such as this help support our dedicated efforts to improve patient outcomes through surgery.”
He reminisced about his interactions with Stan, who faced his diagnosis with remarkable courage. "Meeting Stan was memorable and impactful. Stan had a rare occurrence of an esophageal cancer growth into his lung. We spent a day operating on him, and his chances of surviving were low. But he pulled through and went on to fight cancer bravely for another year and a half. I fondly reflect on our interactions and on his zeal for life."
Ben Cope, Stan and Mary Ellen’s son, then shared some thoughts, which were equally powerful. He spoke about the precious gift of time – time that Dr. Meguid and his team gave to his father that was cherished by their family and friends. "Time is a funny thing. It cannot be bought or sold. It cannot be traded or bargained for. It’s the one thing that is often wasted until it is finite. Time is why we are gathered here today," Ben began.
Ben expressed his family's hope that the endowed chair will continue to provide valuable time to future patients and their loved ones. "It’s that time that was given to us that has led us to be gathered here today to celebrate this chair. It is time that our family hopes this chair will continue to provide to people who are lucky enough to fall under Dr. Meguid’s care. Our family hopes this guarantees that the work of Dr. Meguid and those who may follow in his footsteps can lead the way in cardiothoracic surgery, providing better outcomes, better methodologies, and ultimately, more time for individuals and families like ours."
Joseph Cleveland, MD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at CU Anschutz, closed the evening with a few remarks and thanked everyone for being part of the celebration. The event was a beautiful reminder about the importance of both honoring the past and also looking forward to a future where medical advancements and holistic, respectful care are the standard. The legacy of Stan, Mary Ellen and the Cope family will continue to inspire and drive innovations in thoracic surgery, ensuring that their spirit of generosity lives on for generations to come.
