Cooper Team:
As promised earlier this week, we are writing to share additional organizational changes with you. The following changes will address the gap created by Monday’s announcement that Stephanie Conners is leaving Cooper. These changes will also position our flagship cancer program for continued growth.
MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper:
We have been working on a plan over the past several months to free Chris Winn from some of the day-to-day operations work to spend more time and energy on a number of important strategic growth initiatives under consideration for MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. These initiatives are focused on helping us capitalize on and expand the reach of our partnership with the nation’s leading cancer center.
To that end, we are happy to announce that Lisa Laphan-Morad, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Associate Chief Nursing Officer, has accepted the position of Vice President of Operations for MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. She will report to Chris Winn in this new role beginning June 1, 2018. Lisa has been with Cooper since 2013 and has broad health care experience across the continuum. She has a proven track record of successful outcomes through collaborative efforts with staff, physicians, and other partners.
Hospital Operations:
Stephanie Conners successfully provided leadership over a number of functions at Cooper during a period of significant growth. As we move forward, we have made the decision to separate the Hospital Chief Operating Officer/CNO position into two positions and we will be conducting a formal search for both positions. Over the next several weeks, her many responsibilities will be transitioned to the following people on an interim basis:
- Kathy Devine will serve as Interim Chief Nursing Officer. Kathy originally joined Cooper in 1992 and has served in several progressive leadership roles during her tenure. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Center for Hospital Based Clinical Services, Center for Urgent & Emergent Services, and Center for Critical Care.
- Robert Hockel will serve as our Interim for Hospital Operations. Bob joined Cooper in 2017 and currently serves as Vice President of Strategic Operations. Prior to joining Cooper, Bob spent thirteen years at Virtua where he served in a number of leadership roles and the last few years as Vice President of Operations and Site Administrator at Virtua Memorial Hospital.
Additionally, the Supply Chain functions that reported to Stephanie will transition to Interim CFO, Brian Reilly and Regulatory functions will report to Adrienne Elberfeld.
These functions will transition prior to Stephanie’s departure on June 1, 2018. Additional details and specifics related to these changes will be further defined and communicated between now and June. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this period of transition.
Please join us in congratulating Lisa on her new position and Kathy and Bob on their new interim roles.
Thank you,
Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, Co-President
Kevin O’Dowd, JD, Co-President