(Camden, New Jersey) — The trauma center at Cooper University Hospital has been verified as a Level 1 trauma center by the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients. Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COTs Certification/Consultation Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients. This spectrum encompasses the pre-hospital phase through the rehabilitation process.

(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper University Hospital Breast Imaging Centers located in Voorhees, Cherry Hill, and Camden, N.J., were recently designated “Center’s of Excellence” by the American College of Radiology. These are the only hospital-based breast imaging centers in South Jersey to receive such a distinguished designation. “There is no better way to defend yourself from breast cancer than by getting the best possible screenings,” said Lydia Liao, Director of Women’s Imaging in the Department of Radiology at Cooper University Hospital. “We offer patients the latest techniques and continue to be involved in research that looks at the best options for cancer detection.”

Cooper University Hospital recently dedicated the Dr. Edward D. Viner Intensive Care Unit in the new hospital pavilion. This honor was bestowed on Dr. Viner for his many years of service to Cooper University Hospital and his dedication to his patients. It is the result of the generosity of many of Dr. Viner’s long time patients and friends, particularly Bernard and Shirlee Brown, who generously contributed to the ICU. Dr. Viner, who is currently a practicing physician in Cooper’s Department of Medicine, serves as Chairman of the Cooper Foundation Board and is Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement. He has had an illustrious career in medicine. His career-long interest in intensive care stems from his personal experience as a critically ill ICU patient in 1972.

(Camden, New Jersey) Veterans living in southern NJ, who have historically been underserved due to limited access to health care services, will now have better health care access at the new Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Annex (CBOA) located on Broadway in Camden, NJ. The CBOA will open its doors in 2009 to provide services for military veterans while adding significantly to the revitalization of the central business district in the vicinity of Broadway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

(Camden, New Jersey) South Jersey, through the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services Medical Coordination Center Program is one of seven communities nationwide receiving recognition from the (TIIDE) Terrorism and Injuries: Information, Dissemination and Exchange partners as a model of how emergency medical services can work with other safety and public health agencies in times of disaster. The TIIDE project was developed through a collaborative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During a crisis, local hospitals, emergency departments and first responders play a vital role on the front lines of emergency care. The role of public health is also critical and the model community program is one way to identify communities where there are strong public health and medical partnerships working together to respond to large-scale crisis.

(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.