Cooper University Hospital has named Dianne Charsha, R.N., M.S.N., N.N.P.-B.C., its Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. Dianne previously served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Cooper, managing the operations of all inpatient beds, the Emergency Department, Trauma, Respiratory Therapy, and several outpatient departments.

Last spring Camden officials unveiled the newly renovated Cooper Commons Park in the historic neighborhood adjacent to Cooper University Hospital. Cooper, who maintains the park, has partnered with Greater Camden Partnership, Symphony in C, Rowan University and Campbell’s Soup Co. to organize the First Annual Cooper Commons Holiday Festival on Friday, December 11, 2009 from 4:30 -5:30 p.m.

From family medicine to obstetrics and gynecology, and from orthopedics to medical specialties, Cooper University Hospital’s University Physicians are beginning to see patients at new and improved locations in the suburban tri-county area. This expansion represents Cooper’s commitment to quality, patient and family-centered care by offering academic medical services at convenient, state-of-the-art facilities in Willingboro, Voorhees and Washington Township.

Cooper Holiday Book Drive Throughout the month of December, The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper is collecting new and gently used children’s books to provide to young patients to encourage reading. You can help by donating new and gently used children's books.

John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO at Cooper, has been selected to join the Healthcare transition team for New Jersey Governor-Elect Chris Christie. Mr. Sheridan will have the opportunity to share his vision and expertise in helping bring forth important issues regarding healthcare in the State of New Jersey. “I am honored to be appointed to this important team,” said Mr. Sheridan. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to help Governor-Elect Christie prioritize the healthcare issues and challenges facing the new administration.”

Rowan University alumnus Dr. Marque Allen made the trek from his home in Texas to South Jersey this week to spend Thanksgiving with his family--and to announce his $100,000 donation to Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. The gift by Dr. Allen, a podiatric surgeon, and his wife, Yvette, is the first gift to the new medical school and will create a scholarship fund for first-year Rowan alumni who are attending Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

Rick Hong, M.D., has been recognized as New Jersey's 2009 Outstanding EMS Physician. This recognition, given by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Emergency Services, honors a physician who has made the most positive impact and contribution to prehospital care in the state of New Jersey. Dr. Hong received numerous nominations for this honor.

Family and friends of Mrs. Mary Anne Mazanec, a CCI patient who passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, make a $2,500 donation to the Cooper Cancer Institute to benefit the CCI Patient in Need fund. This provides direct support to patients with ovarian cancer in financial need.

Patients and families are always looking to Cooper experts for sound advice and answers to questions about their healthcare concerns. Cooper University Hospital, along with the Cooper Cancer Institute has now developed a series of online videos to address some of the most common questions and topics relating to breast cancer and much more. “People tend to spend a lot of time on the internet searching for health information that, in some cases, ends up being inaccurate or not relevant to what they are looking for,” said Andy Gradel, Internet Marketing Manager. “We’re presenting this series of videos as one-on-one discussions with our experts organized by topic, so users can easily browse and find answers to their questions in just a few clicks.”

The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services and Cooper University Hospital will be hosting an H1N1 vaccination clinic for children ages 6 months to 5 years as well as children ages 6 years – 18 years with underlying medical conditions. The H1N1 vaccine will be the injectable vaccine, which is not thimerosal-free.