On May 5, 2026, friends, family members, colleagues, and generations of physicians gathered for an open house reception to celebrate the retirement of Edward Bope, MD, a physician whose influence on Central Ohio medicine spans an extraordinary 50 years.  

Dozens of guests attended the event, including Dr. Bope’s siblings and their families, longtime colleagues, and physicians he mentored as residents. Throughout the evening, attendees shared stories that underscored the breadth of Dr. Bope’s impact as a clinician, educator, advocate, and trusted voice in medicine. 

Tracy Davidson, CEO of the Columbus Medical Association & Affiliates, read a formal proclamation honoring Dr. Bope’s remarkable career. The proclamation recognized his five decades of dedication to medicine, medical education, and organizational leadership, noting his service as a member and past president of the CMA Board of Directors and his 46 years of service on the CMA Foundation Board of Trustees. 

The proclamation highlighted Dr. Bope’s instrumental role in shaping the Foundation’s future, including helping facilitate the 1993 sale of the Physicians Health Plan, which resulted in a $22 million endowment and transformed the CMA Foundation’s ability to serve physicians and the community.  

"Your leadership and innovative spirit continue to inspire and serve as the cornerstone of the CMA and its community impact,” Tracy said. “Enjoy the next steps on your journey.”

Dr. Mrunal Shah, a former resident mentored by Dr. Bope, reflected on the lessons that extended far beyond clinical training. 

“Dr. Bope always said, ‘If you listen to patients long enough, they will always give you the answer,’” Dr. Shah said. “Looking back, he wasn’t just giving clinical advice. He was modeling how to lead, how to serve, and how to build something that lasts.”

Dr. Shah also spoke of Dr. Bope’s rare ability to see the full picture for physicians and patients. Under Dr. Bope’s guidance, residents were taught not only how to practice medicine with clinical excellence, but how to be leaders and good humans. 

That vision was echoed by Dr. Teresa Long, emeritus member of the CMAF Board of Trustees. Dr. Long reflected on working alongside Dr. Bope during critical moments in CMA and Foundation history, including the early days of what would become COTS, the CMA affiliate focused on emergency preparedness and response. 

Dr. Long spoke warmly of her decades‑long professional relationship with Dr. Bope and noted that while she had often followed his path into leadership roles, there was one step she would not be taking: following him to Florida in retirement. 

Dr. Bope was also a founding member of Physicians CareConnection (PCC), the CMA affiliate providing medical, dental, prenatal, and coordination wraparound services for the community's most vulnerable. In this special video, PCC President Isi Green thanked Dr. Bope for his crucial role in founding the organization and announced the naming of an exam room in his honor. 

The plaque states: “Your vision and leadership helped build a bridge to care for those most vulnerable in our community. Your impact touches every life served within these walls.” 

Finally, The CMA Foundation also presented Dr. Bope with a certificate of appreciation, a glass plaque, and a gift, recognizing not only the length of his service, but its lasting significance. The presentation was made by Dr. Karen King, Chair of the CMAF Board of Trustees. 

With more than five decades of service completed, Dr. Bope leaves behind a body of work that continues to support physicians, expand access to care, and strengthen the community. His legacy will carry forward through the people and organizations he helped prepare for the future. 

View more photos from the event here.