To serve - to heal - to educate - Cooper University Health Care
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2018 AT OUR OUR
A GLANCE MISSION VISION
• Employees: 7,695 To Serve. Cooper University Health
• Medical Staff: 907 To Heal. Care will be the premier
health care provider in
• Licensed Beds: 635 To Educate. the region, driven by
• Hospital Admissions: 28,716 We accomplish our our exceptional people
• Emergency Department mission through delivering a world-class
Visits: 80,802 innovative and effective patient experience, one
• Urgent Care Visits: 46,511 systems of care and by patient at a time, and
bringing people and through our commitment
• Outpatient Visits
resources together, to educating the providers
(Hospital and Physician Offices):
creating value for our of the future.
1,672,772
patients and the
• Outpatient Locations: 105+
community.
• Surgical Cases: 23,110
• Trauma Cases: 3,766
• Cancer Visits
› Inpatient: 3,083
› Outpatient: 120,160
• Transfers from Area Hospitals: 7,357A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
EXECUTIVE
LEADERSHIP April 2019
Dear Friends,
George E. Norcross III Adrienne Kirby, PhD, FACHE
Chairman Executive Chairman and Cooper University Health Care has deep roots in Camden, a connection that is demonstrated by more than
Board of Trustees Chief Executive Officer
The Cooper Health System Cooper University Health Care 130 years as an anchor institution. In recent years our city has been undergoing significant revitalization,
and we are proud to be a leader in this effort to make Camden a better, safer, and healthier place to live
and work.
As the leading academic health system in the region, we are honored that more people than ever are
Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD choosing Cooper for their health care needs. Cooper employees feel a sense of responsibility to provide for
Co-President Co-President
and ensure the health and well-being of the residents of this city and this region. This report illustrates
Cooper University Health Care Cooper University Health Care
how we take that responsibility to heart, as we further our mission to serve, to heal, and to educate.
Notably:
• Investing in our community through education, job creation, career training, and a new
$15 minimum wage for our employees. Cooper was the first health system in the state to
increase its minimum wage, and other health systems in the tristate area followed our lead
BOARD OF
• Employing the largest number of Camden residents
• Expanding our clinical services and facilities to meet the growing demand—from new
operating rooms and a diagnostic mammography center, to updated landscaping, pedestrian
TRUSTEES
crossings and parks, Emergency Department expansion, and a new power plant on the Health
Sciences Campus
• Extending our care beyond the walls of our hospital, through myriad community-based initiatives
including health screenings, school outreach, and support of Camden youth sports programs
• George E. Norcross III • Paul Katz, MD • Kris Singh, PhD
Chairman Cooper is proud to be a catalyst working to transform our community for the better. In fact, Camden’s
• Adrienne Kirby, PhD, FACHE • Harvey A. Snyder, MD employment rate has increased 24.7 percent in the past few years—with 55.4 percent of the jobs in the
• Peter S. Amenta, MD, PhD
health care and education sectors. Camden’s poverty rate has dropped 25 percent, as more residents are
• Duane D. Myers • Joseph C. Spagnoletti
• Sidney R. Brown getting back to work—many at jobs that didn’t exist in previous years. And our neighborhoods are safer:
• Susan Weiner the crime rate is at a 50-year low, thanks to an aggressive community-policing program.
• Philip A. Norcross, Esq.
• Michael E. Chansky, MD
As Camden continues this exciting upward trajectory, Cooper remains committed to its success by meeting
• Annette C. Reboli, MD the health care needs of the community we are privileged to serve.
• Leon D. Dembo, Esq. TRUSTEE EMERITUS:
• Steven E. Ross, MD, FACS, FCCM • Peter E. Driscoll, Esq. Sincerely,
• Dennis M. DiFlorio
• Generosa Grana, MD, FACP • Robert A. Saporito, DDS
• Phoebe A. Haddon, JD • Roland Schwarting, MD George E. Norcross III
Chairman
• Ali A. Houshmand, PhD • William A. Schwartz, Jr. Board of TrusteesNewly renovated hospital helipad that supports Cooper’s Trauma and Critical Care transport services. Updated safety enhancements help us better serve our patients needing these advanced life-saving services.
2018: An Award-Winning Year for Cooper
Cooper’s commitment to delivering consistently high-quality, advanced care The prestigious U.S. News &
continues to earn us local and national recognition. We’re proud to announce that World Report recognized Cooper
Cooper received these accolades in 2018: as a High Performer (its top
category) for two procedures/
conditions: Colon Cancer
Surgery and Heart Failure
•••
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
of New Jersey recognized Cooper
as a Blue Distinction Center+ for
bariatric surgery, cancer care,
cardiac care, and maternity care
•••
MD Anderson Cancer Center at
Cooper received Horizon Blue
COLON CANCER HEART Cross Blue Shield of New
SURGERY FAILURE Jersey Blue Distinction Center
designation for cancer care
Hybrid Interventional
Radiology OR
• The New Jersey Hospital Association presented Cooper • Our
Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center also received
and the Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s HeroCare Connect recognition from Aetna Institutes of Quality: Bariatric 2018 Major Facility Improvements
program its Community Outreach Award, recognizing our Surgery Network
dedication to serving veterans, active military, and their As demand for Cooper’s services continues to grow, so Eight New Operating Rooms (OR)
• The American Orthopaedic Association gave Cooper its does our need for expanded facilities and programs. The
families by streamlining their access to specialty care
Star Performer Recognition Award for the Cooper Bone
Bring System-Wide Total to 36
past year saw significant achievements:
• Cooper improved its Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety and Joint Institute’s Own the Bone® initiative To meet the demand for Cooper’s expert surgeons,
Grade from a C to a B in 2018 eight new ORs were added at the hospital, including
• AllCare Health Alliance, Cooper’s Accountable Care Upgraded Helipad Increases Safety two interventional procedure rooms for electro-
• Cooper was named to the American Heart Association/ Organization, was awarded the Medicare ACO For Trauma Patients
American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines physiology and a vascular lab, increasing the total
High Performance Award by Premier in the category As South Jersey’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, Cooper’s
Stroke Silver Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll-Elite level number of ORs system-wide to 36. To support this
Generated Savings to Medicare helipad plays an essential role in delivering critically ill
for the quality of our stroke care expansion, we also added a new pre-operative
• City of Camden officials recognized the Cooper Emergency patients to the life-saving care they need. To ensure that and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), completed
• Verified Trauma Center status from the American we are accessible 24 hours a day to virtually any size
Medical Services (EMS) team for Outstanding major upgrades to our Central Sterile Processing
College of Surgeons through 2020 for our Level I medical transport helicopter, we replaced our helipad
Lifesaving Efforts procedures, and acquired new equipment.
Trauma Center, and through 2021 for our Level II with a new helipad that improves patient safety with the
Pediatric Trauma Center • Cooper was the recipient of multiple eHealthcare latest lighting, snow-melt capabilities, and automatic
Leadership Awards, including Best Internet Home Page New iTRACK System Improves
• Cooper’s Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center earned drainage to prevent icing.
(Gold Award); Best Overall Internet Site (Silver Award); Emergency Department Patient Flow
accreditation from the American College of Surgeons
and Best Doctor Directory (Platinum Award) As part of Cooper’s 5,500-square-foot Emergency
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and
Department (ED) expansion, which added new and
Quality Improvement Program
much-needed state-of-the-art exam rooms, we also
initiated an iTRACK system to improve the flow of
patients through the ED, reducing patient wait times,
Cooper Civic Leadership Award and boosting patient and staff satisfaction.
To serve the people of Camden, Cooper launched an award
program of its own, creating the Cooper Civic Leadership
Award of $1,000 for a Rutgers University–Camden student
who exemplifies outstanding service to the Camden
Emergency Department’s
community. The inaugural 2018 award was given to
new iTRACK System.
Shenelle Alexander, an undergraduate nursing student
at Rutgers University–Camden, pictured here with Anthony
6 Welch, VP of Government and Community Relations. 7Major Renovation for
Cooper’s Inpatient Psychiatry Unit Co-Generation Power Facility
The inpatient Psychiatry Unit has undergone major Nears Completion
renovation designed to improve patient safety based
Work continued in 2018 on Cooper’s innovative
on a comprehensive behavior risk assessment.
co-generation facility, which will provide more efficient
energy and power, cooling, and heating in the event of
New Primary Care Locations a power outage. The facility is scheduled to go online
While Cooper is a leading academic health system, it in April of 2019.
also has a growing network of primary care physicians
throughout the region. Two new primary care practices Expanded Radiology Resources
were welcomed to the Cooper family—in Moorestown
Cooper expanded some vital radiological imaging
and in Medford. Cooper patients benefit from more
capabilities with the completion of two new fluoroscopy
coordinated care with their primary care physicians (medical imaging) rooms. In addition, two more
and specialists all in the same health system. fluoroscopy rooms and an X-ray room are scheduled
for completion in 2019, followed by construction of an
New Surgical Specialties Location interventional radiology procedure room, and a pre-op
The Cooper Surgical Specialties practice in Voorhees was and recovery unit for all of Radiology.
relocated to a new facility at 6015 Main Street designed
specifically for surgical practice. This move frees up space Specialty Care Center in Cherry Hill
for MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper to expand its In a major initiative, work has begun on a specialty
operations on the Voorhees campus. care center on Route 70 in Cherry Hill that will house New John E. Kostic Pediatric Outpatient Infusion Center Opens
specialists in neurology, orthopaedics, cardiology,
The John E. Kostic Pediatric Outpatient Infusion Center—made possible by a $400,000 donation to the Cooper
Lighting Upgrades Improve Security surgical services, and endocrinology, as well as
Foundation from the John E. Kostic Memorial Foundation—was dedicated in February. The new center provides infusion
To improve nighttime security, upgrades were made physical/occupational therapy, outpatient laboratory
therapy to infants, children, and adolescents who need IV therapy for acute and chronic illnesses including diabetes
to the exterior lighting on Cooper’s Health Sciences services, and cardiac rehabilitation. Completion is
and other endocrine disorders, as well as blood, genetic, and gastrointestinal disorders. With this new outpatient unit,
campus in Camden. slated for early 2020.
children in need of infusion services no longer have to be admitted to an inpatient unit.
New Cooper Conference Center Readies for Opening
Construction began on a new 10,000-square-foot Cooper Conference Center to be used as training and meeting rooms
for physicians, residents, and medical school students as part of Cooper’s academic medical mission. The new, more
Education & Research easily accessible conference center is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2019 and will allow current training rooms
Building Houses Advanced to be transformed into state-of-the-art patient rooms in the hospital’s Roberts Pavilion.
Diagnostic Resources
Cooper’s Center for Special
Diagnostics—which includes
molecular pathology, flow
cytometry, and cytogenetics—
opened its doors in a new, specially
designed space in the Education &
Research Building. The new center
enhances Cooper’s ability to provide
advanced genomic testing for
cancer patients at Cooper.
8 9The 2018 Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge was a huge success, with nearly 4,500 participants running in the 10K race or joining in the two mile walk. Proceeds of the race benefit the Larc School in Bellmawr, NJ, which serves students with a wide range of moderate to severe disabilities.
Cooper EMS Response Time Exceeds
Giving Back to the Community National Standards
Cooper employees are focused on making the Teddy Bear Clinic Expands
communities we serve healthier places to live, play, For the third consecutive year, Cooper’s Emergency Medical
More than 150 kindergartners participated in the
and work. These are highlights of how Cooper Services (EMS) met a key eight-minute response time
“Teddy Goes to Cooper” program, designed to provide
has served the community in 2018: national benchmark for advanced life-support calls—
Camden schoolchildren with a positive encounter at
keeping the promise Cooper made to improve response
Cooper to understand that it is a place for healing and
times when it took over EMS.
Operation Backpack Program care. In addition to the KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy,
children from the U.S. Wiggins College Preparatory Lab This achievement is even more significant since Cooper’s
Helps Students Succeed
Family School in Camden participated. Each child had the EMS experienced a 47 percent increase in emergency calls
Ensuring that students have the tools for a successful start to
opportunity to see the inside of an ambulance and was for the year.
the school year, the Cooper Foundation provided more than 2016 2017 2018
given a stuffed teddy bear that received an “x-ray, stitches, Prior to Cooper taking over EMS in 2016, an independent
1,300 backpacks filled with school supplies to students at the
and vaccinations” to educate children about common study indicated Advanced Life Support (ALS) responses ALS Transports 11,761 13,078 14,701
KIPP Cooper Norcross Lanning Square and John Greenleaf
medical procedures. in Camden met the eight-minute benchmark on only 70 BLS Transports 26,184 28,008 31,109
Whittier schools, and the Center for Family Services Head
Start students at Lanning Square. This initiative was made percent of calls.
Total 37,945 41,086 45,810
possible through the generosity of Cooper employees. In the past year, Cooper EMS averaged 125 daily Basic Life
Support (BLS) and ALS transport calls combined, up from Average Daily 104 113 125
an average of 104 daily dispatches in 2016 and 113 in 2017. Dispatches
Cooper Employees “Adopt” Camden Families Benefit From
150 Families for the Holidays Christmas Meals
For the ninth year in a row, Cooper employees—through The Cooper Foundation provided 150 Camden families
the Cooper Foundation and in partnership with Volunteers with a turkey and all the side dishes (along with books and
of America Delaware Valley—“adopted” 150 Camden toys for the kids) for a warm, hearty, and healthy meal.
families. The families received gift cards, toys, clothing,
housewares, and other items, helping make their season Cooper Launches Innovative
brighter. School-Based Health Clinic
In September 2018, Cooper opened an innovative school-
Summer Reading Program based health clinic at the KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy
Keeps Children Engaged Lanning Square School to provide sick and well visits for
Camden children participated in Cooper Learning Center’s students at KIPP, U.S. Wiggins College Preparatory Lab
Operation Backpack Teddy Bear Clinic
Summer Reading Institute, which provides educational Family School, and Center for Family Services Head Start
support to grade-school students when school isn’t in students. The goal of the clinic—which is part of the
session. The program was offered at the KIPP Cooper Camden Promise Neighborhood—is to keep students
Norcross Academy for its second summer, and for the first from missing valuable learning time and provide timely
time was also offered at St. Anthony of Padua School in access to annual well visits. The Cooper-operated
Cramer Hill—engaging some 60 students. health clinic is supported through funding from the
U.S. Department of Education. Cooper provides an
Cooper Day of Service advanced practice nurse and clinical practice specialist
On June 28, Cooper doctors, nurses, administrative leaders, to administer care.
and allied health professionals fanned out across eight
different sites in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Helping Keep Kids Warm
counties for a day of community service. Cooper employees The Cooper Foundation donated more than 200 new
worked in community gardens, prepared meals at the winter coats and gloves to students at the KIPP Cooper
Cathedral Kitchen, helped out at an animal shelter, Norcross Academy at the start of the cold-weather
organized donations at a food pantry, and volunteered season in 2018.
Cooper Day of Service
with other community organizations in South Jersey.
12 13Camden Health & Athletic Association
The Cooper Foundation, the Norcross Foundation, and
AmeriHealth joined forces to create the Camden Health
& Athletic Association (CHAA), a nonprofit organization
dedicated to expanding Camden’s youth sports
programs and health initiatives. In 2018:
• CHAA performed 150 free physicals for young athletes
participating in sports programs in 2018.
• The organization hosted its inaugural Summer Youth
Basketball League, a six-week competitive league with
eight teams from across the city. CHAA also supported
two other summer basketball programs in Camden, for a
total of nearly 300 children ages 8 to 14 participating in
CHAA’s summer basketball programs.
• CHAA established its first-ever Summer Golf Academy,
introducing 11 Camden kids between 11 and 13 to
the fundamentals of golf and to business and career
opportunities associated with the game. The free six-
week program, sponsored by the Michaels Organization, Camden children participating in the Camden Health & Athletic Ninth Annual Summer in the City
which offered participants two-hour lessons twice a Association sports program photographed with Camden Music Festival Provides Free Fun
week, and supplied golf clubs and balls. County Police officers.
The Cooper Foundation kicked off its free Summer in
the City Music Festival in the Park. This popular event
brings the community together while showcasing the
neighborhood parks and positive changes in the Cooper a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum beginning in the
Plaza and Lanning Square neighborhoods. The festival is fifth grade and will expand to the eighth grade over the
a collaboration of the Cooper Foundation, Cooper’s Ferry next two years, ultimately serving 440 Camden students.
Partnership, Cooper Lanning Civic Association, Lanning The school offers guaranteed enrollment for children from
Square West Residents in Action, sponsorships from the adjacent neighborhoods.
City of Camden, and Garden State Discovery Museum.
Born Learning Trail Comes to Life
Dedication of Second KIPP Cooper Cooper teamed up with the United Way of Greater
Norcross Academy Middle School Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Parkside Business
National, state, and local leaders joined students, families, and Community in Partnership, Inc., to install a new Born
and teachers May 7 for the dedication of the KIPP Cooper Learning Trail at Farnham Park in Camden—the first of its
Norcross Academy John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School, kind in Camden County. A Born Learning Trail is a series of
the third school to open under the Urban Hope Act—a signs accompanied by colorful shapes and designs painted on
pilot program to provide students in Camden, Newark, the walkway to enhance learning. Cooper employees installed
and Trenton access to new, quality public schools in the signs and painted the walkway designs, demonstrating
their communities. The newly renovated school provides our commitment to giving back to the City of Camden.
L to R: Lisa Shalkowski, Director
of Clinical Practice of Women’s &
Children’s Institute; Pam Ladu, VP,
Adult Health Institute— Primary Care
& Behavioral Health, Women’s &
Children’s Institute; and Michael H.
Goodman, MD, Chairman and
Chief, Department of Pediatrics,
Drills at the Camden Health & Athletic volunteering at the Born
Association Summer Youth Basketball League. Learning Trail.
14 15Community Health: Promoting Wellness Beyond Hospital Walls
To help remove barriers to accessing health care, Cooper healthy snacks served as well. In 2018, we expanded
reaches out to the communities we serve, providing to include the U.S. Wiggins College Preparatory Lab Family
free services and resources where people live, work, and School, doubling attendance and Cooper’s impact
2018 Red Hot Gala
congregate. Some highlights of our 2018 Community on the community. (l to r) Anthony J.
Health initiatives: Mazzarelli, MD,
Cooper Helps Keep Kids Safe Co-President;
George E. Norcross III,
Preventive Screenings at Local Health Safe Kids Southern New Jersey provides dedicated staff, Chairman, Board of
And Wellness Fairs operational support, and other resources to keep kids safe. Trustees; and
Preventive health care works—but only if people have Among the initiatives we participated in last year: Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD,
Co-President.
access to it. That’s why Cooper takes its resources on the • Walk to School Day: We partnered with Yorkship
road to a variety of community-based health and wellness Elementary School in Camden to provide pedestrian
fairs. There we provide preventive screenings—particularly safety education to its nearly 600 students, walking to Cooper Foundation: Supporting Our Patients and Community
for the uninsured and underinsured—so attendees can school with the children October 10.
take steps to prevent onset of illnesses like diabetes or • Child passenger safety: We held nine monthly programs Red Hot Gala Sets a New Jim Fifis Lung Cancer Research Fund
heart disease. In 2018, Cooper providers attended dozens at which car seats are checked for proper installation, along Fund-Raising Record Dinner Raises $110,000
of health fairs in the South Jersey region, performing with workshops for parents and others who transport The Eighth Annual Cooper Red Hot Gala raised a record- Another Foundation initiative marking its eighth year in
hundreds of screening tests including foot and eye exams, children. We installed more than 850 car seats and breaking $2.1 million to benefit the Ripa Center for 2018 was the Jim Fifis Lung Cancer Research Fund Dinner,
skin checks for skin cancer, and stroke risk assessments to distributed more than 100 car seats to needy families. Women’s Health and Wellness at Cooper, as well as which raised $110,000 for the lung cancer program at MD
identify and educate on stroke risk factors. women’s health programs throughout the health system. Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. More than 300 people
More than 1,000 attended the April 27 event, which has gathered at Ponzio’s in Cherry Hill for the September 25
Chronic-Disease Education Helps Residents raised a total of $12.1 million since 2011—making it one event, which celebrated the life of the longtime Ponzio’s
Make Smart Health Choices of the region’s largest charitable fund-raisers. Last year’s owner before he died of lung cancer in 2007. Since its
Because self-management is a vital part of living with a event honored Robin L. Perry, MD, Chairman and Chief, founding in 2011, the Fifis Fund has raised a total of
chronic disease, Cooper offered its first six-week program Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Terry Ricca, $870,000 to support lung cancer clinical research, the high-
to educate and empower adults with such conditions as RN, Senior Vice President, Institute Strategy, Access, and risk lung cancer screening program, and several innovative
diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. Chief Experience Officer. tools for diagnosing and staging lung cancer.
Modeled on the respected Stanford Chronic Disease Self-
Management Program, Cooper’s free program is offered on Ninth Annual Pink Roses Teal Magnolias Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Awards
the Voorhees campus. Brunch Raises $850,000 $982,000 Grant to Cooper Foundation
More than 700 people attended the 2018 Pink Roses Teal The Cooper Foundation received a $982,000 grant from
Community Health Education • Bike safety presentations in schools: We partnered with Magnolias Brunch October 28, raising $850,000 for breast the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation to support the
Extends Cooper’s Reach local police departments to hold bike rodeos where and gynecologic cancer research and clinical programs at work of Cooper’s Urban Health Institute. These funds
children ride safety obstacle courses. We distributed more MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. The event honored will support a new initiative—Reducing Disparities in
Cooper’s physicians, nurses, and health educators regularly
than 200 helmets to local children. Dianne Hyman, RN, Transition Care Manager; Pallav K. Mehta, Cardiovascular Care Through Optimization of Risk Factors
present on a number of health topics at community sites
including workplaces, schools, churches, and community • Home safety presentations: Held at local centers such as MD, Director, Integrative Oncology; and Roland Schwarting, in Vulnerable Populations—that will provide behavior-
centers. In 2018, our experts were invited to speak at Head Start, we distributed free home-safety devices to MD, Chairman and Chief, Department of Pathology. It also change support, focus attention on social determinants
events on topics as diverse as substance abuse awareness, families in need. The topics included medication safety included a Survivors March to recognize all cancer survivors in of health, connect patients to community resources,
healthy lifestyle habits, nutrition, infant and child well care, and fire prevention. attendance. Since it was first held in 2010, the Pink Roses Teal and enhance medication adherence with the help
smoking cessation, cancer, and heart disease. Magnolias Brunch has raised funds totaling $5.35 million. of an interdisciplinary team.
• Water safety presentations for parents and children: We
distributed Designated Water Watcher tags with whistle
Health Fairs for Kids Teach lanyards to families.
Good Health Habits
Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper serves the children Support Groups Provide Connection,
of southern New Jersey, allowing them to get the most Encouragement, and Advice
advanced care close to home. For more than 12 years, Cooper offers an array of free support groups for people
the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper has hosted a who are going through similar experiences, from handling
health fair for children from the Veterans Memorial Family the challenges of breastfeeding as a new mother to
School in Camden, where students learn about water dealing with the impact of specific cancers. To make these
Survivors March
safety, gun safety, nutrition, hand washing, the importance groups more accessible, they are offered on the Camden
at the 2018
of exercise, and asthma triggers and treatments—with campus as well as at other Cooper sites. Pink Roses Teal
Magnolias Brunch
16 17Caring for U.S. Military and First Responders: Cooper First in Nation to Provide Training
Serving Those Who Serve Us
for Elite Army Trauma Team
Cooper provides clinical training to the elite Special Operations Combat Medics (SOCM)
from the U.S. military’s Special Operations Command.
As part of our mission, Cooper is committed to providing Training Military Trauma Teams
the highest quality health care to those who risk their Because of our expertise in trauma, surgery, and critical
lives for our country and our communities. In 2018, care, Cooper provides a wide range of military, diplomatic,
we continued to expand and enhance our portfolio of and field-affairs training programs. In fact, Cooper is the
programs and services designed to meet the unique only hospital in the nation to have trained elite medical
needs of active and retired military, veterans, their providers from every U.S. military branch, as well as
families, and first responders: multiple local, state, and federal government agencies
and international partners. Partnership programs include:
HeroCare Connect Earns Recognition
• Army Military-Civilian Trauma Team Training (AMCT3)
From NJ Hospital Association program: This is the result of a 2017 congressional
mandate aimed at advancing the military’s readiness by
partnering with high-volume civilian trauma centers to
gain critical skills.
• Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) Training
The year 2018 marked the first full year of operation for
Course: Cooper is one of only five hospitals in the
HeroCare Connect, an innovative partnership between
Cooper and Deborah Heart and Lung Center. The program
country that provides training to Special Operations In 2018, Cooper entered into an
Combat Medics from the U.S. military’s Special Operations agreement with the U.S. Army
links South Jersey military families—active, veterans, and
Command, which includes Army and Navy enlisted
their dependents—with expedited access to specialty care,
members who hold or are designated for assignment
to provide advanced surgical
supplementing the primary care available on Joint Base trauma training to the Army’s
to a Special Operations medical position. In 2018, Cooper
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The concierge program offers initial
appointments with a specialist within 24 to 48 hours. Since
provided eight 36-week training courses for 71 SOCMs. elite Forward Resuscitation
the launch of operations in June 2017, HeroCare Connect • U.S. State Department “Project Guardian” for Emergency Surgical Team (FRST), making
has coordinated initial specialist appointments for more Management Specialists: This training program—the Cooper the first in the nation to
than 3,000 patients at Cooper and Deborah. only one of its kind in the world—matches Emergency provide this training. Through the
Management Specialists with Cooper trauma surgeons
and physicians who treat patients in our high-volume
program, a U.S. Army surgeon,
“Helping Our Heroes” Stay Healthy
trauma center and ED, providing five weeks of real-world emergency medicine physician,
To help keep our first responders healthy, Cooper and the
Camden County Board of Freeholders teamed up to offer experience to refresh their clinical skills. Emergency nurse anesthetist, intensive care
“Helping Our Heroes,” a preventive screening program that Management comprises physicians, physician assistants, nurse, and emergency nurse are
and paramedics who serve in high-threat embassies, TOP: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross, center, with
offers the more than 2,800 active firefighters and EMTs in fully embedded members of the Brigadier General Telita Crosland and Cooper leadership
Camden County on-site cardiovascular risk assessments consulates, and active war zones.
Cooper clinical staff for three years at the Trauma Team Training signing ceremony.
and annual wellness physicals, as well as preventive cancer • FBI Hostage Rescue Team Training: This program provides
screenings. More than 75 firefighters in Collingswood, Hi- a clinical-skills refresher for physicians, physician assistants,
to obtain firsthand training at BOTTOM: Brigadier General Telita Crosland, who commands
the Army’s Regional Health Center-Atlantic, watches
Nella, Pennsauken, Washington Township, and Westmont and paramedics who are responsible for caring for those Cooper’s high-volume, high-acuity Cooper Co-President Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD sign
took part in the free screenings last year. injured in high-threat Department of Justice operations. trauma center. agreement and Co-President Kevin O’Dowd, JD looks on.
18 19Cooper Honors Trauma Surgeon
With Military Employee of the Year Award
On May 22, Cooper presented the 2018 Cooper Military officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps. On 9/11
Employee of the Year Award to trauma surgeon John Chovanes was among the first responders at the World
Chovanes, DO, FACS, LTC, USAR MC, at a Memorial Day Trade Center. He has continued to save lives as a civilian
celebration for Cooper employees who are veterans or trauma surgeon and a military surgeon. He has completed
active military. It is one of two events held each year to five tours of duty in the Army Medical Corps, the most
honor employees with a military connection. (The other is recent to the Middle East last year.
held in conjunction with Veterans Day.) The Cooper Military Employee of the Year Award was
After serving as an EMT, paramedic, ER nurse, and flight established to formally recognize the outstanding
paramedic, Dr. Chovanes became a physician, completing contributions by a Cooper staff member to the health
a residency in general surgery and a double fellowship in system, the community, and the nation—in support of
trauma surgery and surgical critical care. While completing Cooper’s mission to serve, to heal, to educate.
his medical training in July 2001, he enlisted as an
L-R: Timothy Boyce, MS,
Manager of Diplomatic,
Domestic and Military Affairs;
Corey Terry, Preceptor, Special
Operations Combat Medic;
Cooper volunteers John Chovanes, DO, FACS,
at the second annual LTC, USAR MC, 2018 Military
Summerfest held at the Employee of the Year; and
Funplex in Mount Laurel. Rory Tippit, Executive
Veterans, military, and Administrative Officer
first responders who of the Military
attended were offered Diplomatic Field
a variety of health Affairs Center
screenings—and a fun
day with family.
Stop the Bleed Training Cooper Earns High Marks for Its Care of
Stop the Bleed (STB) training is part of a national initiative Military, Veterans, and First Responders
to put knowledge gained by first responders and the Cooper received grant funding from the New Jersey
military into the hands of the public to help manage life- Department of Health to initiate a pilot program to further
threatening bleeding in cases of acts of violence, motor develop a comprehensive integrated care network in
vehicle accidents, or other disasters. With the aim of southern New Jersey to serve the needs of active military
making STB training as common as CPR training, personnel, veterans, and first responders. The Walter Rand
Cooper’s Trauma Division and EMS Outreach offer a Institute for Public Affairs evaluated Cooper’s performance,
free one-hour class at Cooper Medical School of Rowan and determined that Cooper met all of its objectives,
University every other Wednesday, as well as at off-site exceeding their goals and objectives in such areas as
locations such as churches and schools when requested. providing health care screenings, primary care visits,
In 2018, Cooper held more than 60 STB classes, educating behavioral health evaluations, subspecialty care visits,
more than 1,200 lay people on how to apply tourniquets, and same-day appointments, leading to what the report
pack a wound, and open a victim’s airway. Classes are called “overwhelming success.”
taught by Cooper employees who volunteer their time
to support this important program. Cooper’s EMS
Outreach also provided STB training to emergency
responders and other organizations on request,
educating nearly 300 people.
20 212018 Nursing Excellence Award winners
MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Glendenning, RN, MSN, to the post of Assistant Vice
Nursing Accomplishments include: President for Professional Development. In the realm of
education and training, 12 nurses graduated from Cooper’s
As a leading academic health system in the region, Cooper is home to highly advanced • Nursing department achieved the goal of reducing ED
comprehensive Perioperative training program, and a nursing
medical expertise and exceptional teams of physicians, nurses, and other caregivers. visits: Reduced patient utilization of Emergency Room
Grand Rounds program was initiated by our Advanced
visits, from 18 percent in 2016 to two percent in 2018
They not only possess outstanding clinical skills to treat illness and restore health, but Practice Providers. Cooper’s Nurse Residency program provided
• First collaborative Nursing Conference with Rutgers in supportive, sequential learning experiences including didactic
also strive to empower patients to make the best choices in order to prevent disease. 2018 on Current Trends in Cancer Care classroom lectures, structured computer-based learning,
They demonstrate this commitment with every patient interaction, every day. • Increased staff’s oncology certifications: Goal set at and clinical experiences incorporating simulations and
50 percent, finished 2018 at 65 percent hands-on skill development to all new-to-practice nurses.
• Expanded Triage protocols to link with key home care
Nursing: Outstanding People, Exemplary Care providers: Developed resource for improved at home Nursing Leadership Advancements
Kathy Devine, RN, DrNP, was
assessment of our cancer patients
While the medical and technological aspects of nursing 75 percent through education, team engagement, and appointed Chief Nursing
• Developed Care Transition Navigator role to enhance
have significantly evolved since the time of Florence equipment enhancement. Officer and Senior Vice
coordination between inpatient/outpatient transition
Nightingale, the essential role of the nurse remains The nursing staff also partnered with Informatics, devising President in October. In this
impacting readmission rates
the same: provide a safe and caring environment that a nurse work list that could be updated instantly—a boost role, she is responsible for
promotes patient safety, healing, and well-being. We • Lung Nurse Navigator led the development of Tobacco
in efficiency and real-time documentation. professional nursing practice
know that our effectiveness as a health care organization cessation program and counseling with patients.
With a focus on the patient experience, Roberts Pavilion across the continuum of
is inextricably linked to clinical skills and patient care— care, and has administrative
which is why we engage and attract the best and
Five, Six, Seven, and Nine, as well as the NICU, exceeded A Focus on Professional Development and operational leadership
their goal for overall inpatient, “rate the hospital and Providing opportunities for professional development
brightest nurses. Some highlights of our nurses’ responsibility for Nursing
communication with nurses scores”. The nurses’ role in the is an integral part of Cooper’s commitment to our
achievements in 2018: and Patient Care Services.
early identification of sepsis infections contributed to nurses; this is reflected in the appointment of Jennifer
the successful achievement of a significant reduction in
Improving Safety and Efficiency sepsis-related mortality. Cooper nurses collaborated
Our nurses led multiple initiatives in 2018 to improve with multidisciplinary teams to strive for positive patient KUDOS
safety and efficiency. These included initiating daily safety outcomes related to infection prevention. Fall-reduction Cooper nurses earned a multitude of well-deserved Norcross Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.
huddles to further foster a culture of safety at Cooper; strategies included participation in the New Jersey Falls awards and recognition in 2018: Pannone said he was surprised and honored to be singled
helping launch the iTRACK system in the Emergency program, with a significant reduction in falls with injury, out by his peers.
Department to ease patient throughput and increase and performed better as compared with similar hospitals 2018 Nursing Excellence Awards
patient satisfaction; and participating in a multifaceted “I’m still so new, with so much yet to learn, I just never
nationwide over the last 12 months. These awards honored 22 nurses and collaborative care
effort to reduce errors in Central Sterile Processing by would have guessed that I’d be named Nurse of the Year,”
providers and teams for their outstanding contributions to
he said. “Sometimes you’re just working so hard and you
excellence in patient care. Award winners were nominated
think no one’s watching, but others do see your work ethic
by their colleagues for their commitment to upholding the
and compassion. I’m grateful.”
Cooper mission. The theme for 2018’s Nursing Excellence
Awards: “A Hero Lies in You.”
2018 DAISY Award Winners
Nurse of the Year: The DAISY Award is an international program to reward
excellence in the nursing profession. It was created by
VINCENT PANNONE, RN, BSN the DAISY Foundation to recognize the extraordinary
Vincent Pannone, RN, BSN, of Sicklerville, NJ, was compassion, outstanding clinical skills, and personalized
named Cooper’s Nurse of the Year at the 2018 Nursing care nurses exhibit every day. Our 2018 award winners:
Excellence Awards.
Thomas Egan, RN Nicholas Knight, RN
Pannone, who joined
Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) Cardiology–Pavilion Nine
Cooper in 2016, is an
Operating Room nurse Chevron Johnson, RN James Matthew Kucharski, RN
who completed the Surgical Intermediate Unit– Cardiac Intermediate Unit–
hospital’s six-month Pavilion Six Pavilion Nine
Perioperative training
program after earning Cristine Yumang, RN
his nursing degree. He Surgical Intermediate Unit–
received the Cooper Pavilion Six
Nurse of the Year Award
and the Philip and Carole
24 25Notable Physician Appointments and Achievements
Cooper is the only academic medical center based in
South Jersey, and employs more than 630 physicians
We attract some of the most highly trained and
experienced physicians, surgeons, and advanced practice Celebrating Our Providers of the Quarter
and surgeons in more than 75 specialties. We continue nurses in the nation. Here are some of their achievements
to expand—adding top physicians in their fields, the in the past year:
most advanced services, cutting-edge programs—to meet The Provider of the Quarter Recognition Program is designed to recognize Cooper Physicians,
the needs of our community.
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) who were nominated by their peers for their professionalism,
interpersonal skills, effective communication, teamwork, and dedication to research and
Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc Joseph M. Montella, MD, MS, CPE
was named Medical Director, joined Cooper as Vice President education. Nominees exemplify our core values and service standards and demonstrate
Addiction Medicine, at of Medical Affairs and became achievement of results to further Cooper’s strategic imperatives.
Cooper’s Urban Health Chief Medical Officer in 2018
Institute
FIRST QUARTER SECOND QUARTER
Erik C. Freeland, DO Stephen W. Trzeciak, MD, MPH
became the new accepted the post of the
Nadir Ahmad, MD, FACS Richard D. Lackman, MD
Division Head for Foot Edward D. Viner Chair of Head of the Division of Associate Director of the
and Ankle Surgery Medicine and Medical Director of Otolaryngology – Division of Orthopaedic
Cooper’s Adult Health Institute Head and Neck Surgery Oncology within the
Department of
Director of the Head and
Orthopaedic Surgery
Neck Cancer Program at
MD Anderson Cancer Professor of Orthopaedic
Eric E. Kupersmith, MD, SFHM Center at Cooper Surgery at the Cooper
was named Chief Physician Medical School of
Executive. He joined Cooper in Associate Professor of
Rowan University
1995 and served as Chief Medical Surgery at the
Officer and Senior Vice President Cooper Medical School of Adjunct Professor of
of Hospital Operations with Rowan University Orthopaedic Surgery at the
oversight of hospital-based services MD Anderson Cancer
Center in Houston
New Physician-Led Training Initiatives Kudos THIRD QUARTER FOURTH QUARTER
As part of Cooper’s commitment to training the next •W
arren R. Heymann, MD, received the 2018
generation of physicians: Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lisa B. Butler, MSN, APN Gregory J. Kubicek, MD
Medical Dermatological Society Lead APN for the Center Co-Director of
•N
adir Ahmad, MD, FACS, Head of the Division of
Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, spearheaded • Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, was an Innovation for Urgent and Emergent Neuro-Radiosurgery at
establishment of an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) residency Hero finalist for NJ Biz’s 2018 Healthcare Services (CUES) MD Anderson Cancer
program at Cooper in 2018—one of the first new Heroes Awards Center at Cooper
programs of its kind in the U.S. in more than a decade Associate Professor of
Radiation Oncology at the
• Kristin L. Brill, MD, FACS, Program Director, Janet
Cooper Medical School of
Knowles Breast Cancer Center, and Director, Section of
Rowan University
Breast Surgery, was named program director for a
new breast surgical oncology fellowship program at Adjunct Professor of
MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Radiation Oncology at
MD Anderson Cancer
• Todd L. Siegal, MD, Interim Vice Chair/Chief of Center in Houston
Radiology, led the establishment of a one-year Women’s
Imaging Fellowship, the first such program in South Jersey
26 27MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Cooper’s partnership with the renowned MD Anderson center in the region with more than 100,000 treatment
Cancer Center in Houston continues to transform cancer encounters and 70,000 physician visits in a single year,
care in the South Jersey region. It’s no surprise—the Texas ranking as the first choice for cancer care among patients
facility has been named one of the leading hospitals for surveyed by an independent research firm.
cancer care by U.S. News & World Report 14 times in the The cancer center team launched three innovative clinical
past 17 years, including 2018. With the clinical integration programs in 2018 – the Rare Cancers Program, Second
between our two programs, MD Anderson at Cooper Opinion Program, and the Aerodigestive Program (for the
physicians adhere to the same philosophy, process, and guide- diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer). Through
lines—and patients here benefit from the same proven these new programs, we broaden the scope of services to
practice standards and treatment protocols as in Houston. Participants in the Biden Cancer Community Summit with U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross at MD Anderson at Cooper.
meet the unique needs of cancer patients.
MD Anderson at Cooper has become a leading cancer Here’s a look at some of the notable milestones of 2018:
Cooper Hosts Biden Cancer Cancer Screenings Help Save Lives
Community Summit MD Anderson at Cooper is committed not only to providing
CELEBRATING OUR FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY On September 21, MD Anderson at Cooper—in conjunction
with U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross—participated
in the national Biden Cancer Community Summit to hear
the best possible care to people who have cancer, but
also to make screening and early detection as accessible
as possible—especially for the underinsured population.
local perspectives on treatment, proposals for federal
Our screening clinics provide more than 2,700 free or low-
actions, and personal stories from a panel of cancer
cost screenings for breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal,
survivors, family caregivers, doctors, and nurses. The
skin, and oral cancer for those who may not have the
Biden Cancer Initiative was launched to form a cohesive,
resources to access these life-saving services.
comprehensive, and timely approach to cancer prevention,
diagnosis, research, and care. Subaru and the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society “Blanket” Cancer Patients in Warmth
New Breast Surgical Oncology In September, executives from Subaru of America’s
Fellowship Program corporate headquarters and the Leukemia & Lymphoma
MD Anderson at Cooper received approval from the Society (LLS) delivered messages of hope and 100 specially
Society of Surgical Oncology to establish the only Breast made blankets to outpatients at MD Anderson Cancer
Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program in South Jersey— Center at Cooper. Their aim was to help encourage patients
one of 52 programs in the nation—affirming the quality and keep them warm as they continue their fight against
of the curriculum and faculty at our cancer center. The cancer. The event was part of an initiative by Subaru
new program will enable Cooper to prepare surgeons to of America and LLS to provide much needed support
become experts in the surgical management of breast and “warmth” to cancer patients and their families in
cancer and advanced surgical techniques. The Janet communities across the country.
Knowles Breast Cancer Center at MD Anderson at Cooper
is one of the region’s leading providers of comprehensive Breast Imaging Fellowship
breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services. Cooper received accreditation from the Society of Breast
Imaging to offer the first Women’s Imaging Fellowship in
MD Anderson at Cooper marked its five-year New Outpatient Diagnostic South Jersey. One candidate will enter into the program
anniversary serving the South Jersey region Mammography Center each year starting in the 2020-21 academic year. The Cooper
in September. In just a few short years, we’ve Expanding to meet growing patient demand, Breast Imaging Center is a high-volume breast imaging
experienced impressive growth to our programs MD Anderson at Cooper opened a new outpatient center with offices in Voorhees and Camden. The center
diagnostic mammography center on its Camden offers the full array of breast imaging and image-guided
and services; recruited top physicians, nurses,
campus in 2018. This one-stop center offers diagnostic procedures including digital mammography, digital breast
and staff; expanded our geographic reach and tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced spectral mammography,
mammograms, biopsies, and ultrasound services. The
footprint; and become the leading cancer space includes a consultation area, reading room, and ultrasound, and breast MRI. We have five fellowship-trained
center in South Jersey, serving more patients comfortable waiting areas for patients. The facility also breast imagers within the Department of Radiology to serve
in our region than ever before. The milestone Camden’s Mayor Frank Moran is flanked by provides a separate waiting area for male patients. our patients with the highest level of care. Since partnering
was marked with a variety of events and Cooper Co-Presidents Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD (left);
with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, our growing
and Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, at the
celebrated with local dignitaries, employees, MD Anderson at Cooper anniversary event. patient population and our level of expertise rival some of
patients, and the community. the finest breast programs in the country.
28 292018 Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Commencement
members of an international consortium to identify genes Match Day for the
that cause epilepsy. CMSRU, in partnership with Cooper Medical School’s Class of 2018
As an academic health system, teaching is a core compo- continually invests in the community through education, University Health Care, is the eighth clinical site to join the
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University’s Class of
nent of Cooper’s mission to train the next generation of job creation, and career training. Here are a two examples: Philadelphia Consortium. An Institutional Review Board
2018 joined thousands of medical students and graduates
medical professionals. In their roles as faculty members approval is in place to begin collecting epilepsy-patient
• Medical Assistant Training Program: Established to fill the around the world in learning the specialty and location
at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), tissue samples at Cooper beginning in 2019.
need for entry-level medical assistants in Camden, this of the residency programs where they will train for the
our physicians are committed to sharing the knowledge next three to seven years during an exciting Match Day
Cooper program offers trainees full-time employment at
and experience they have acquired with the next genera- Camden Institutions Partner to Research ceremony March 16. Thirty-five of the 73 CMSRU students
Cooper or at another local health-care system on completion.
tion of physicians. And through their research, they can Ways to Fight Opioid Addiction will enter primary-care training programs, and 26 percent
affect countless patients’ lives for generations to come. • Cooper Health Careers Initiative: A partnership with Opioid overdoses continue to climb in New Jersey, with of the class will remain in New Jersey to complete their
Camden County and Hopeworks, this program provides 2018 the deadliest year to date. To help fight this urgent training—including 12 who matched at Cooper University
Strengthening the Region’s Workforce free medical-coding training for Camden residents—and public health concern, the Coriell Institute for Medical Health Care. Nationally, students matched at a range of
As the largest employer of Camden’s residents, Cooper a job at Cooper on completion. Research, Cooper University Health Care, and CMSRU esteemed programs, including Baylor, Brown, Cornell,
launched the Camden Opioid Research Initiative (CORI), Duke, Georgetown, UC-Irvine, UCLA, University of
a first-of-its-kind undertaking to investigate the genetic Pennsylvania, and Yale.
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and biological factors that contribute to the development
of opioid-use disorder. CORI will take a three-pronged 73 Newly Minted Physicians
Since opening on the Cooper Health Sciences Campus in author of You Can Stop Humming Now: A Doctor’s Stories approach to its research, including a novel biobank of In CMSRU’s 2018 Graduating Class
2012, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) of Life, Death, and In Between—discussed her innovative biological samples collected from individuals who have
On May 11, 73 CMSRU students were awarded their
has graduated 173 new physicians, helping address the approach to caring for patients struggling to cope with the died from an overdose, along with a pair of studies to
medical degrees—the medical school’s third graduating
critical shortage of doctors in our region and beyond. challenges of life with chronic illness. This well-attended investigate the genetic and nongenetic factors that
class and the largest to date. The event was held on the
annual lecture for medical students and faculty is presented underlie opioid-use disorder.
University Green of Rowan University’s main campus
Hosting a Major Research Symposium by the Cooper Foundation, Cooper University Health Care,
in Glassboro. Attendees heard from guest speaker and
In October, CMSRU hosted Advancing Research in and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and is New ENT Residency Program CMSRU Medal of Excellence recipient Darrell G. Kirch, MD,
Camden—a major Rowan University–wide biomedical- funded by the Berkowitz Family Foundation.
Cooper and CMSRU received approval in 2018 from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association
and bioengineering-focused research symposium. It Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education of American Medical Colleges, who urged graduates
included plenary sessions by two nationally renowned CMSRU Researchers Help Discover (ACGME) to establish an otolaryngology head-and-neck to stay focused on the needs of their patients and be
keynote speakers, a poster session with 130 different 11 New Epilepsy Genes surgery (ENT) residency program. This highly specialized champions of those with socioeconomic barriers to the
presentations by Rowan faculty research scientists, Professors in the Department of Biomedical Science at surgical training program is only the second of its kind in outstanding medical care available in the U.S.
and ample opportunity for networking. More than CMSRU collaborated on an important study published the state. ENT residency training is in high demand and
350 people attended the inaugural event aimed at December 10 in Nature Communications that identifies typically one of the most competitive residency programs
promoting collaboration in research. 11 new epilepsy genes not previously linked to the nationally. Cooper will welcome its first ENT resident
disorder. The discovery triples the number of known to the five-year training program in 2019.
Sixth Annual Berkowitz Family susceptibility genes for epilepsy and provides critical
Foundation Lecture clues for future research. The CMSRU neuroscientists are
The featured speaker at the 2018 Berkowitz Family
Foundation Lecture, Daniela Lamas, MD—
CMSRU’s Class of 2018
32 33You can also read