Cooper Health System Archives

Cooper Health launches ‘Tablets for Veterans’

Cooper University Health Care has introduced a program to help military veterans who may find it difficult to make in-person visits.

Funded by a $62,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission, the Tablets for Veterans program will provide the mobile technology to qualified patients who have served in the armed forces, according to a Sept. 5 announcement.

The grant will cover the costs of 50 tablets for three years and includes internet service.

“We know that individuals with chronic conditions are at risk of developing complications and possible hospitalization when they are not able to access health care. We also know that many of the veterans we serve have transportation issues, creating barriers to care,” Max Kursh, director of population health at Cooper Health, said in a statement.

Kursh, who’s overseeing the Tablets for Veterans program, added, “By providing tablet devices for these vulnerable individuals, we will help improve communications and maintain vital connections with their health care providers to allow them to manage their care successfully at home.”

The staff at Camden-based Cooper Health and Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills will identify current patients for the program based on who may have difficulties making the trip to see a health care provider, according to a Cooper Health spokesperson.

“Our veterans have given of themselves to serve our country, so we want to be able to thank them for their service by developing innovative programs to meet their needs,” Kursh said.

Cooper and Deborah provide a range of services to active military and veterans through HeroCare Connect, a resource that links military families, active duty and retired military, and veterans with specialty care services.

Looking out for veterans

On Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy signed bipartisan legislation into law that aims to protect veterans and their families from potential fraudsters. Click here to read more.

Cooper Health, Inspira collaborate to expand neuroscience care

Cooper University Health Care and Inspira Health are partnering once again to improve care across southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area – this time with the formation of Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience.

The health care providers, which launched Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care six years ago, are now teaming up to improve access to neuroscience care, including surgical and nonsurgical services related to the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system, according to a July 31 announcement.

Subspecialties of the new partnership include neurology, neurosurgery, neuro oncology, neuropathology, neurophysiology and neuropsychology.

Cooper Health and Inspira leaders touted the collaboration, while also agreeing on the success of the cardiac effort.

“Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience expands not only the cooperation of two respected health systems, but the access patients across the region will have to some of the best specialists in the world and innovative treatments,” George Norcross III – chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper Health System, Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper – said in a statement.

Amy Mansue, president and CEO of Inspira Health, echoed those sentiments, adding, “By integrating care between our two health systems, we are enhancing access to highly coordinated comprehensive patient care that includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment and healing for the full spectrum of brain, spine and nerve diseases, conditions, and disorders.”

As part of the collaboration, clinicians at both centers will combine expertise and resources to care for patients suffering from stroke, brain injury, headaches, epilepsy, spine conditions, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Kevin O’Dowd, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care, described the venture as a “historic partnership,” while fellow co-CEO Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli said the team was confident it “will save lives.”

The announcement follows several major moves from both centers, including:

Inspira Health’s acquisition of Salem Medical Center’s hospital building, ambulatory surgery center and physician offices in December 2022; and
Cooper Health’s latest AI-powered treatments, its planned merger with Cape Regional Health System, several credit rating upgrades and its planned $2 billion expansion in Camden.

With revenues of more than $2 billion, Camden-based Cooper University Health Care has more than 9,600 team members, including 1,600 nurses, more than 900 employed physicians and 450 advanced practice providers.

Inspira Health’s 1,200-member medical staff and more than 7,000 employees work in 15 nationally accredited programs at its hospitals in Vineland, Mullica Hill and Elmer. The system also has two comprehensive cancer centers, eight multispecialty health centers and other locations throughout South Jersey.

Certifications and recent awards

Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill and Vineland are certified as Primary Stroke Centers by DNV.
Inspira Health recently earned the American Heart Association Get with the Guidelines Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Achievement Award.
Cooper University Health Care earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers.
Cooper University Health Care-Camden was recently ranked No. 7 in New Jersey on U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals list.
Inspira’s three hospitals and Cooper University Hospital earned A grades on The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2023 Hospital Safety Grades report.

Cooper Health agrees to pay $625K to settle alleged discrimination claims

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Nov. 21 it entered into a conciliation agreement with Camden-based Cooper Health System to resolve alleged hiring and compensation discrimination at its facility.

“A compliance review by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that, from July 1, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2017, Cooper Health System discriminated against 64 female, Black and Hispanic applicants for nurse associate PRN positions, and discriminated against 337 affected individuals employed in supervisor, nursing and clerical positions by paying them less than comparable male and white employees,” the DOL stated.

According to the agreement, Cooper Health denies the department’s findings but wishes to resolve the issue. The health system agreed to pay $625,000 in back pay and interest to the candidates.

Cooper Health also said it will take steps to ensure that its personnel and compensation practices, including recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures, meet legal requirements.

The agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or violation of any laws on Cooper’s part, the statement explained.

Federal contractors are prohibited from discriminating in employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Cooper Health has federal contracts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“When an employer accepts a federal contract, they must ensure equal opportunity in its hiring practices and pay their workers their full legally earned wages and benefits,” Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Northeast Regional Director Diana Sen in New York said in a statement. “This agreement will have a lasting impact on Cooper Health System’s workforce and sets a standard for the industry.”

Thomas Rubino, Cooper University Health Care’s senior vice president of communications, shared the following statement with NJBIZ:

Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system with an incredibly diverse workforce and patient population. Cooper categorically denies the preliminary findings of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Cooper does not discriminate, and its hiring and compensation practices exceed all regulatory standards. Furthermore, no agency or court has found that Cooper violated any laws nor engaged in unlawful discrimination.

Cooper is known for its leadership in compensation practices and was the first health system in the state to institute a $15 an hour minimum wage. We use national experts to ensure employees are paid fairly and equitably.

Cooper is proud of its record of hiring, promoting, and retaining women and minorities. The health system’s workforce is made up of 75% women and 40% minorities. In the last 18 months, 50% of promotions at Cooper were earned by minority team members. Cooper’s record speaks for itself.

Cooper’s settlement of this matter was a business decision to avoid spending millions of dollars on further legal proceedings rather than patient care. OFCCP’s preliminary findings were based on a statistical analysis of data that was nearly seven-year-old. We could not disprove these preliminary findings because seven years ago records related to recruitment and promotions were manually maintained and some were missing. Cooper now has new, state-of-the-art electronic recordkeeping systems in place.

Cooper is pleased to end this costly review.

MD Anderson Center at Cooper unveils outpatient unit

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper opened a new 13,000-square-foot multi-service outpatient unit at its flagship Camden location, with the goal of expanding cancer services in the region.

“When we partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston almost a decade ago, we knew our partnership would quickly grow to become the number one choice of consumers in the region by offering outstanding comprehensive cancer services. This expansion, which will offer multi-service outpatient care, demonstrates that our commitment to cancer patients is only growing and strengthening,” George Norcross III – chairman of the board of trustees of the Cooper Health System, Cooper University Hospital, and MD Anderson at Cooper – said in a statement.

The new unit, located on the center’s top floor, offers a range of diagnostic and treatment services to expand and complement existing services at the cancer center.

The new suites include:

Malignant hematology clinical suite – For patients with blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma); additionally, the suite includes a procedure room for bone marrow biopsies and other procedures.
Hydration and blood production infusion suite – For patients needing IV hydration and blood product infusion services; includes six semi-private infusion chairs (with massage features) and one private room.
Full-service physical rehabilitation facility
Interventional radiology suite – Providing patients with access to image-guided interventional procedures such as port placement (for the delivery of chemotherapy) and port removal, thoracentesis, and paracentesis.

In addition to these services, the space includes a check-in desk, a full break room with lockers for staff, blanket warmers and other patient amenities, and a nurse call system. Take a video tour by clicking here.

“We are excited to offer these new additions to our Camden outpatient center. They complement the wide range of diagnostic, treatment, and support services we already provide at this location, giving patients easy access to the key cancer services they need in one convenient location,” added Dr. Generosa Grana, director of MD Anderson at Cooper.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event

Tag: Cooper Health System