No. 7: Kevin O’Dowd and Anthony Mazzarelli

Cooper University Health Care was at the center of the state’s pandemic response, serving as a critical hub throughout the crisis.

Co-CEOs O’Dowd and Mazzarelli, who were described to NJBIZ as “superstars” by Cooper UHC board of trustees Chairman George Norcross, have continued that positive momentum through this post-pandemic period.

Cooper kicked off 2023 with the welcome news of a credit rating upgrade by Moody’s, which followed a November upgrade from S&P. That positive news is in addition to a December announcement of a planned merger with Cape Regional Health System, and the big one—a $2 billion expansion project in Camden that was announced in September.

“Today is a celebration of all the professionals who have served at Cooper over the last 135 years,” said O’Dowd in September during the announcement. “Cooper has grown into an elite, nationally recognized academic health system, and this amazing transformation could only have been achieved through the tireless effort of dedicated and committed team members.”

“This expansion will give our dedicated professionals the resources, innovation, and flexibility to continue to serve, heal, and educate our community and all of us to further recruit top-notch talent,” said Mazzarelli.