Lawson Ashley Bragg Copley MD
Pediatric Orthopedics
Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern Medical School
2350 Stemmons FrwyF6300Dallas, TX 75207
Overview of Dr. Copley
Dr. Lawson Copley is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and physician leader based in Dallas, Texas, specializing in musculoskeletal infection and complex pediatric orthopaedic conditions. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by fellowship training in pediatric orthopaedics at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Copley serves on staff at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children’s Medical Center Dallas and holds an academic appointment at UT Southwestern. He is the Medical Director of the Musculoskeletal Infection Program at Children’s Health, where he leads a nationally recognized, family-centered program focused on advancing care for pediatric bone and joint infections.
His work spans clinical care, research, and healthcare innovation, with a focus on improving diagnosis and outcomes in pediatric musculoskeletal infection. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized with the European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society Best Basic Science Paper Award.
Dr. Copley’s career reflects a unique breadth of experience across academic medicine, healthcare leadership, and military service, including service as a Colonel in the United States Air Force.
Education & Training
Air War College Air UniversityPME, 2012
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern UniversityMBA, 2005 - 2007- Air Command and Staff CollegePME, 1998 - 1999
University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterFellowship, Pediatric Orthopaedics, 1996 - 1997
University of Pennsylvania Health SystemResidency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1991 - 1996
Certifications & Licensure
TX State Medical License 1996 - 2027
MO State Medical License 2001 - 2004
FL State Medical License 1998 - 2002
PA State Medical License 1993 - 1996
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Orthopaedic Surgery
Awards, Honors, & Recognition
- Best Basic Science Paper Award European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society/Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, 2017
- Kellogg EMP 66 Commencement Speaker 2007
- Fellow American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2001
Clinical Trials
Publications & Presentations
PubMed
- Reply to "Evaluation of a commercial multiplex pathogen panel for the diagnosis of pediatricjoint infections".Laura M Filkins, Lawson Copley
Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2025-11-12 - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Process Variation During Musculoskeletal Infection Evaluation at 6 Pediatric Centers.Yida Liu, Naureen G Tareen, Shyam Kishan, Lauren E LaMont, Dustin M Loveland
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. 2025-10-01 - 4 citationsPerformance evaluation of a commercial multiplex pathogen panel for the diagnosis of pediatric joint infections.Lawson Copley, Gina Lee, Mary Villani, Naureen Tareen, Laura M Filkins
Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2025-07-09
Journal Articles
- The impact of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines applied by a multidisciplinary team for the care of children with osteomyelitis.Copley LA, Kinsler A, Gheen T, Shar A, Sun D, and Browne R, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1/1/2013
- Surgical Management of Pediatric Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis.Copley LA, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Website: Orthopaedic Knowledge Online, 1/1/2012
- Increased severity of type III supracondylar humerus fractures in the preteen population.Fletcher ND, Schiller JR, Garg S, Weller A, Larson AN, Kown M, Browne R, Copley L, and Ho C, Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 1/1/2012
Books/Book Chapters
Abstracts/Posters
- Whole-Genome Sequencing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Pediatric Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis: Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Analys...Gaviria Agudelo and Copley LA, Infectious Disease Society of America ID Week, Sab Francisco, CA, 10/1/2013
- Assessment of severity of illness of children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis: A proposed scoring system based on objective clinical parameters.Copley LA and Gaviria Agudelo C, European Society of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Milan, Italy, 5/1/2013
- Algorithm for Creating a Pediatric Residency for Non-Specific Trained Mid-Level Providers.Crawford SC, Thornton LT, and Copley LAB, Pediatric Orthopaedic Practitioner Society, HI, 5/1/2010
Lectures
- Variations in the Bacterial Genome of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Causing Pediatric Osteomyelitis within a Community.Philadelphia, PA - 8/1/2013
- Evaluation of the Pathogenetic Mechanisms Involved with Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis Caused by MRSA; Clinical Severity of Illness Determination, Human Gene Express...Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX - 6/1/2013
- Gene expression profile and correlation with severity of illness among children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis caused by Methicillin-resistent Staphylococcus au...Milan, Italy - 5/1/2013
Press Mentions
Rapid Multi-Omics Test Offers Breakthrough in Diagnosing Pediatric Joint InfectionsAugust 11th, 2025
Insurance Accepted
- Aetna Choice POS II
Aetna HMO
AmeriHealth Direct POS
BCBS Blue Card PPO
BCBS Texas BlueChoice
CIGNA HMO
CIGNA Open Access
CIGNA PPOFirst Health PPO
Great West PPO
Humana ChoiceCare Network PPO
Multiplan PHCS PPO
Multiplan PPO
United Healthcare - Direct Choice Plus POS
United Healthcare - Direct Options PPO - Please verify your coverage with the provider's office directly when scheduling an appointment
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