(Camden, New Jersey) — Cooper University Hospital is proud to announce that George Edwards and the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns, have been nominated for Governor Jon S. Corzine’s 2008 Volunteer Award in the Most Innovative category. For over 30 years, George Edwards, as Dr. Bumper “T”, has offered his wonderful spirit and gift of humor as a hospital volunteer. His presence had such a profound impact on the patients, family’s and staff he visited that in 2002, Bumper “T” Caring Clowns became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. Shortly after, a training course was developed and by April of 2002, the first graduating class of 24 caring clowns set out to give their gift of humor and compassion. Since then, the Bumper “T” Caring Clowns has grown to over 110 “funnyboneologists” who volunteer in hospitals throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

(Camden, New Jersey) Sixty Camden children filled the tents at Cooper Commons Park at what will become the new “community living room” for the Cooper Plaza neighborhood. Community partners, including representatives from Cooper University Hospital, Camden County, the City of Camden, Cooper Lanning Civic Association, The Reinvestment Fund, and local elected officials, dug the first hole in the park which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2009. “The Cooper University Hospital Board of Trustees made a commitment to create a Health Sciences Campus and Neighborhood,” said George E. Norcross, III, Cooper Board Chairman. “We said that this neighborhood deserved not only excellent health services and access to good jobs, but also safe streets, greenery and trees, nice sidewalks, quality housing opportunities - and places for kids to play and for senior citizens to stroll on a nice Fall day. With the support of our community partnerships, we are seeing the results of this commitment to the city.”

(Camden, New Jersey) — The Cooper Cancer Institute has expanded its physician faculty with the appointment of Nancy L. Lewis, M.D. Nancy comes to Cooper from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa., where she served as an Associate Member in the Genitourinary, Breast, and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Programs; Director of the Medical Residency and Sub-Intern Program; and as Associate Director of the Phase I Clinical Research Program. Dr. Lewis will be responsible for developing the Phase I Clinical Research Program within the Cooper Cancer Institute. “Dr. Lewis will collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to expand the clinical research program at CCI,” said Generosa Grana, M.D., Director, Cooper Cancer Institute and Head of the Division of Hematology-Medical Oncology at Cooper University Hospital. “Through this program Cooper patients will have access to cutting-edge cancer treatments by participating in clinical trials of new agents in the early stage of their development.”

(Camden, New Jersey) Trick of Treat? Give me something nutritious to eat. On Wednesday, October 29 at noon, Cooper University Hospital’s new Health eTalk online forum will be discussing tips on “Healthy Eating for Children on Halloween and Year-Round.” Maryann Codd, M.S., R.D., CDE, of Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, will host this month’s session and answer any questions people may have relating to this topic of interest. “I want to provide parents with healthy meal planning tips that they can use with their children,” said Maryann. “Halloween can also be a challenge for parents with children with diabetes, so I will have some fun ideas in dealing with this day as well.

(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper Cancer Institute (CCI) has been named a model for “Best Practices”, for performance improvement by The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. This selection means that Cooper will serve as a model in performance improvement monitoring and reporting for other programs nationwide who are interested in building their cancer program.

(Camden, New Jersey) The Cooper Bone and Joint Institute has expanded its physician faculty with the appointment of Dino Nicol E. De Jesus, D.O. Dr. De Jesus joins the Cooper University Hospital orthopedic surgical team while providing patients with a full range of joint replacement options including weight-bearing surfaces such as metal-on-metal and ceramic joints. In addition, Dr. De Jesus has a special interest in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee and a vascular necrosis of the hip. Dr. De Jesus completed his fellowship at Florida Orthopedic Institute in Tampa, Florida. Prior to that, he completed his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. During his fellowship and residency, he received state-of-the-art training in reconstructive surgery of the hip and knee utilizing minimally invasive techniques.

(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper University Hospital is pleased to announce that the Patient-Family Centered Care Program will receive a 2008 Spirit of Planetree Award for Cooper’s 2007 annual report and the creation of “Our Journey to Patient Family Centered Care” DVD. Only eleven awards are given out each year to affiliates across the United States. “Cooper University Hospital prides itself on the importance of patient and family support within the hospital; and continues to work with our employees on providing a level of compassion to not only patients, but family members and fellow employees,” said John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO of Cooper University Hospital.

(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper University Hospital has won the coveted 2008/2009 Consumer Choice award by the National Research Corporation (NRC). Cooper is recognized along with such prestigious hospitals as Johns Hopkins, the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic and is the only hospital in the Delaware Valley to receive this honor four years in a row. “Our patients have spoken,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board at Cooper. “Receiving this award four years in a row distinguishes Cooper as the consistent provider of premier healthcare. Consumers are savvier than ever and are making informed decisions when it comes to where they go, and what caregivers they chose for a loved one.” The award identifies hospitals which healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image ratings in over 250 markets throughout the U.S. This is the thirteenth year the NRC has awarded hospitals whose consumers have recognized them for providing the highest quality healthcare.

(Camden, New Jersey) The Cooper Health System has appointed Dennis A. Pettigrew as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Pettigrew has over 35 years experience in management positions. He has served as a Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer during his career. As an accomplished healthcare executive, Mr. Pettigrew will lead the financial team at Cooper.

(Camden, New Jersey) With influenza (“the flu”) season just around the corner, people are encouraged to get their influenza vaccine as soon as possible. Influenza (“the flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death. National statistics show that on average 5 to 20 percent of the population of the United States gets the flu each year and that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. About 36,000 die from flu and its complications each year in the United States. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur but are more common in children than in adults.