Ladies, mark your calendars: May 12-18, 2013 has been designated as National Women’s Health Week, and that means it’s time to focus on YOU.  This week is the perfect week to make your health a priority by scheduling your check-up appointments with an Internal Medicine physician, with a Family Practice physician, or with your Gynecologist.  In fact, Monday, May 13 is “National Women’s Check-Up Day” – your reminder to make the time to schedule those health care appointments.

FREE Cooper Screening Event for Women!

In honor of National Women’s Check-Up Day, please join us:

DATE:  Monday, May 13

TIME:  1:30-3:30 PM and 5:30-7:00 PM

PLACE:  Main Street Campus, Voorhees

900 Centennial Boulevard, Building #1

Cooper nurses will be on hand to provide women with free health screenings, information, and giveaways.  Stop by our table and take charge of your own health!

National Women’s Health Week, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, brings together communities, businesses, government, and health care organizations like Cooper University Health Care to promote the importance of women’s health.

This week also is a great opportunity to learn more about your health and the recommended screening tests that are important for staying healthy.  The Ripa Center for Women’s Health and Wellness at Cooper offers a wide variety of health seminars and fitness classes, and is a great resource for information to empower and educate women.   Please check out the Ripa Center web page, for information on our upcoming classes and becoming a member (for free!).  Also, look for updates on the expansion of our new Ripa Center, scheduled to open in Voorhees in summer 2013!

Please use National Women’s Health Week as a reminder to take care of yourself, and remind your mothers, friends and other important women in your life to make the time to take care of themselves too.  Remember, taking good care of yourself is the best thing that you can do for you and your loved ones!

Members of the Hematology/Oncology, Social Work and General Pediatrics teams at Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper helped Karolynn and her family celebrate her receiving her dream trip to France. 

Ever since Karolynn Grays, 18, of Camden, was a little girl, her dream was to one day travel to France and experience all that the city of Paris has to offer. On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, made that dream a reality.

Staff from around the hospital, including Hematology/Oncology, Adolescent Medicine, and General Pediatrics transformed a conference room into a scene from Karolynn’s favorite movie, “Lady and the Tramp,” to present her with an all-inclusive, 10-day trip abroad.

Karolynn says she is most looking forward to seeing the iconic sights of Paris, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre—and, of course, shopping!

“This trip will be Karolynn’s escape—an escape from chemotherapy and constant doctor visits, and an escape from her diagnosis,” said Kasey Massa, LSW, pediatric social worker at Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper. “Now in remission, Karolynn and her family can fully enjoy this life changing journey—her wish come true.”

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish^® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.

In the wake of national tragedy like yesterday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, children may have questions about their own safety and that of their family. Parents can help children cope more effectively with their fears by providing information geared to the child’s age and understanding level. This article from the American Academy of Pediatrics has tips to help parents understand their children’s concerns and provide the appropriate support.

To read the full article, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website by clicking HERE.

A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. Every year, 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly 6 million children (a report can include multiple children). The United States has the worst record in the industrialized nation—losing five children every day due to abuse-related deaths. In honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month in April, Cooper is partnering with Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign to recognize and educate our community on child neglect.

“When I meet children and their families I listen to their stories,” said Kathryn M. McCans, MD, pediatric emergency medicine and child abuse specialist. “The children relate experiences that no child should encounter. They have suffered from sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and/or neglect. The caretakers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles relate stories of being overwhelmed by what has transpired. They are fearful of what happens next. The non-offending caretaker is also a victim. Their trust in a family member has been violated. Too often, the caretakers suffered similarly as a child.”

Dr. McCans goes on to say, “We must be willing to call attention to the plight of the children in our lives. If we witness aggression against a child, morally and ethically, we must intervene on that child’s behalf. We must change our interventions from being reactionary to protection and support to prevent the abuse from ever occurring. We will need to address not just the ‘who did it’ but the ‘why did it’ to ever get to that point.”

On Monday, April 8, Cooper employees brought awareness to the epidemic of child abuse and neglect by hosting a “Planting Pinwheels” event on the front lawn of the Roberts Pavilion. Prevent Child Abuse America’s Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign is an effort created to change the way our nation thinks about prevention and how we can deliver on our commitment to America’s children. The blue pinwheels are the new symbol for child abuse and are an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. Throughout the entire month of April, Cooper will also light the hospital in blue to encourage others to get involved and make a difference in our children’s lives.

“Through this event we wanted to celebrate the lives of our young children who have endless possibilities ahead of them,” said Dr. McCans. “It is our responsibility to protect them and lead them in the right direction to a bright, successful future.”

This Saturday, 94.1 WIP sports radio show with Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger, featured David Gealt, DO, of the Cooper Bone and Joint Institute, who discussed Phillies ace Roy Halladay’s recent outings and his projections for the future. They also discussed Dr. Gealt’s NCAA tournament predictions.