The Springfield Clinic Colon & Rectal Surgery team is welcoming a new surgeon this month. 

Jac Cooper, MD, knew that medicine would be his career after experiencing a medical emergency in high school. His father, a general surgeon who he has always looked up to, was the surgeon on call when he was rushed to the hospital, and ended up putting in his son’s chest tube. After recovering, Dr. Cooper knew that he wanted to be a surgeon someday, too. “It’s an experience where you’re in this awful situation, and you don’t know what to do, and a surgeon comes in and fixes you and everything’s fine,” he says. 

Dr. Cooper received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Ind., then completed his general surgery residency at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, followed by his colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Beaumont Hospital in Southfield, Mich. Board certified in both general and colon and rectal surgery, Dr. Cooper treats surgical diseases of the colon and rectum, including colorectal cancer, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease, using minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery. He also treats common anorectal conditions, such as anal fissures and hemorrhoids, and performs colonoscopies. 

Dr. Cooper’s favorite part of practicing medicine is being able to be with patients when they’re in a tough situation and providing care that can vastly improve their quality of life and help them get back to normal. “I really pride myself on establishing trust with a patient and building a relationship with them because I think that’s an important part of care,” he says. 

Springfield Clinic’s Colon & Rectal Surgery Department is comprised of well-trained, compassionate surgeons and staff and is committed to providing excellent patient care in a collaborative team environment. To learn more about Dr. Cooper and the Colon & Rectal Surgery team, click here.