Meet the Doctors – Vince Culpepper, MD, FACS

Vincent Culpepper, MD, FACS is a general surgeon here at Crisp Regional. Growing up in nearby Sylvester, Dr. Culpepper always knew he wanted to find his way back home to South Georgia after medical school and training.

He went to Valdosta State University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, then to the Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health for a Bachelor’s Degree as a Physician Assistant, and then to Mercer University School of Medicine. After completing his residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, he was able to move back to the area.

“I tried to move back close to home because I like it here,” said Dr. Culpepper.

While Dr. Culpepper operates on a variety of different areas like colons, gallbladders, the stomach, and more, his interest and passion is in breast cancer surgeries.

This interest started with research during his residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia because of an oncologist he worked with looking at techniques of sentinel lymph node biopsy with breast cancer.

“I had an early interest,” said Dr. Culpepper. “I’ve always enjoyed working with it.”

But 10 years ago, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and so he developed a personal connection to this type of surgery as well.

Whatever the surgical area, Dr. Culpepper said what he loves about his job as a surgeon here at Crisp Regional is the people.

“I enjoy the people in Cordele and the surrounding area that we take care of,” said Dr. Culpepper. “I grew up here, and these are my people. I’m at home.”

Dr. Culpepper explained that the new surgery center will allow Crisp Regional and our surgery team to take even better care of the people he loves so much here.

“This is a vital step forward,” said Dr. Culpepper. “Having a new center makes it a lot better for people as they’re coming through, makes it more efficient. They won’t spend as much time waiting to get to the operating room as they have in the past because we have a new registration system and a new flow for the patients to come through. It’s a lot smoother, a lot less hassle for them as well.”

Dr. Culpepper works in this field in this area because of the people, and he said he wants his patients to know he truly cares about them.

“They need to know I’m going to take care of them like my family,” said Dr. Culpepper. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they come through it successfully and do anything I can to keep them comfortable all the way through it.”

When he’s not working in the OR, on call, or teaching as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Mercer University, Dr. Culpepper enjoys hunting, fishing, and working on cars as well as the occasional run or bike ride.