Cooper University Hospital unveiled South Jersey’s first hybrid operating room yesterday. The $3 million suite combines state-of-the-art surgical technology with three-dimensional angiography where Cooper’s vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons can perform intricate, minimally-invasive endovascular surgery on patients with severe, life-threatening aortic conditions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yesterday, doctors performed a successful endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the new suite. “The hybrid OR places Cooper at the forefront of surgical technology and enables our surgeons to improve patient outcomes,” says Jeffrey P. Carpenter, M.D., Chief of Surgery at Cooper University Hospital. “The surgical suite has all the equipment, monitoring and imaging devices necessary to perform complex surgery without ever having to move the patient out of the OR during the procedure. This new technology is changing the standard of care in our region and Cooper is proud to be leading the way.”

Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill recently held a fundraiser benefiting The Children's Regional Hospital at Cooper. They raised $2,000 by selling more than 450 raffle tickets for prizes including a gingerbread house made by the restaurant's chef and staff as well as a Balthazar-sized Italian Wine Bottle.

Cooper University Hospital President and CEO, John P. Sheridan, Jr., announces that Susan Bass Levin has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cooper Foundation. Bass Levin currently serves as Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this position, she is the senior New Jersey officer on a bi-state executive management team. This team oversees 7,000 public employees, as well as a $30 billion, 10-year capital budget and a $5.5 billion annual budget.

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.