CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Cape Regional Health System officially joined Cooper University Health Care a year ago July 1.
Over the past 12 months, the combined Cooper team has delivered on its promise to enhance access to high-quality care and specialty services for the residents and visitors of Cape May County, according to a news release from the organization.
“We’ve had an extraordinary first year and have taken bold steps forward — from bringing MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper’s nationally recognized cancer care to the region to expanding specialty services and building a stronger, more integrated health care delivery system,” said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the board of trustees of Cooper University Health Care. “We are excited about what we’ve already accomplished and look forward to continuing to fulfill our promise to bring the highest level of advanced health care and serve the health care needs of communities across southern New Jersey.”
“Over the past year, there has been a great deal of excitement and optimism among the Cooper Cape team for opportunities to provide expanded, high-quality medical services to members of local communities,” said Ron Jaworski, chairman of the Cooper Cape Regional board of trustees.
Over the past year, Cooper Cape has achieved several important milestones:
— Formed 33 integration teams that have worked hard to integrate the health systems.
— Completed a seamless transition in record time from Cape Regional’s older computer systems to Epic, an advanced electronic health record system used by Cooper.
— Opened an Access Clinic, improving the shore regions’ access to Cooper’s specialty care physicians, including surgery, cardiology, orthopaedics, and oncology among others, for local patients.
— Hired new physicians and expanded services and office locations.
— Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional became an MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper-approved site for radiation oncology, ensuring advanced cancer care is available close to home.
In addition to clinical advancements, Cooper has made its new team members’ well-being and recognition a priority, according to the release.
Over the past year, several programs were introduced, including a portal to spotlight employee achievements, Nurses Week and Hospital Week festivities and inclusion in longstanding traditions such as Cooper’s 20-Year Club celebration.
Cooper also honored the outstanding service of Cooper Cape team members through award programs, including the Military Team Member of the Year Award, underscoring a deep commitment to recognizing excellence and fostering a supportive culture, according to the release.
“Over the past year, the Cooper team has made great progress in elevating the level of care offered in the shore region. We look forward to continuing to enhance the health care experience for the people of Cape May and Atlantic counties,” said Kevin O’Dowd, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.”
“We are incredibly proud of our combined team and how far we’ve come in just 12 months,” added Dr. Anthony J. Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care. “The integration has been smooth and, more importantly, it’s been meaningful in providing advanced health care to the residents and visitors of the region.”
“This year has been a remarkable journey, and we thank and congratulate every team member at Cooper Cape for their dedication, flexibility, and teamwork,” said Christine C. Winn, senior vice president and chief regional officer of Cooper University Health Care. “Their commitment to excellence has made this transition not only successful but inspiring, building a strong foundation for the future of health care in Cape May and Atlantic counties.”
Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper, headquartered in Camden, has revenues of more than $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.
Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 600 advanced practice professionals.
Cooper operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as three hospitals — its 663-bed flagship Cooper University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House and Children’s Regional Hospital in Camden.
Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 trauma center in southern New Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.
More than 2.4 million patients visit Cooper’s facilities annually. Its ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, several urgent care centers, a wound care center and more than 130 physician, physical therapy and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean.
