LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper opens 1st dedicated office space

Cooper University Health Care leaders and staff of the Center for LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper join for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new office. - PROVIDED BY COOPER HEALTH

Dawn Furnas//June 14, 2024//

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Joining the growing number of providers expanding their commitment to equitable and inclusive care, Cooper University Health Care recently unveiled a new location for the Center for LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper.

To support the new center, The Cooper Foundation hosted the Cooper Proud Celebration. The event drew more than 125 attendees and raised $115,000 for LGBTQ+ health initiatives, Cooper announced June 12.

Located at 17 W. Knight Ave. in Collingswood, the new office offers services including:

Preventative or wellness care
Hormone therapy;
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV transmission;
DoxyPEP for STI prevention.

Cooper Health said that although LGBTQ+ Health was established in 2021, this is the department’s first dedicated office space.

‘Unwavering commitment’

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index recently recognized 32 hospitals in New Jersey for their commitment to equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Cooper University Hospital was named to that list as a high performer.

“The opening of the Center for LGBTQ+ Health office in Collingswood signifies Cooper’s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive, culturally competent care that celebrates the diversity of our patients,” Philip Norcross, chairman of The Cooper Foundation board of trustees, said in a statement. He added that the recent fundraiser served to commemorate the center’s opening and allowed guests to show their support for “the ongoing efforts to improve health care access and outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Attending The Cooper Foundation's Cooper Proud Celebration are (from left) Dr. Justin Schweitzer, medical director for LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper; Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley; Lisa Morina, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer, The Cooper Foundation; Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague; Dina Mathews-Laurendeau, director of development, The Cooper Foundation; Dr. Carman Ciervo, chief physician executive of Cooper Care Alliance and Cooper Foundation medical director of development; and Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Cooper. — Attending The Cooper Foundation’s Cooper Proud Celebration, from left: Dr. Justin Schweitzer, medical director for LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper; Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley; Lisa Morina, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer, The Cooper Foundation; Haddon Township Mayor Randall Teague; Dina Mathews-Laurendeau, director of development, The Cooper Foundation; Dr. Carman Ciervo, chief physician executive of Cooper Care Alliance and Cooper Foundation medical director of development; and Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Cooper. – PROVIDED BY COOPER HEALTH

Breaking barriers

Dr. Justin Schweitzer, medical director for LGBTQ+ Health at Cooper, said the center helps break down barriers the LGBTQ+ community faces when it comes to health care.

“Almost half of the people in this country who identify as LGBTQ+ have experienced some form of health care discrimination, whether intentional or not, and this can be a huge deterrent to seeking preventative and/or life-saving health care,” Schweitzer said.

In the announcement, Cooper Health co-CEOs Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli and Kevin O’Dowd agreed that the center reaffirms the provider’s commitment to LGBTQ+ health care.

“We are proud to stand at the forefront of LGBTQ+ health care and champion inclusivity within our community,” Mazzarelli added.

In March, Valley Medical Group also expanded its services for the community with the new Center for LGBTQ+ Care in Paramus.