The Secrets Your Bloodwork Can Reveal

A visit to your primary care provider is likely to include a trip to the lab for bloodwork. Is there really a need to endure the bloodletting jab? Simply put, “yes.”

Your bloodwork reveals important information about your health. Even if you believe you are in good health, bloodwork can identify potential health risks when they are most easily treated and help track changes in your health over time. Read more.

Cooper University Health Care Physician, EMS Services Honored for Innovative Program That Helps Patients With Substance-Use Disorders

Cooper University Health Care’s Gerard Carroll, MD, FAAEM, EMT-P, received the 2022 Nicholas Rosecrans Award for developing and launching the first EMS-administered buprenorphine program in the United States. Dr. Carroll is the medical director of EMS Services and division head of EMS/Disaster Medicine at Cooper University Health Care and Cooper’s Emergency Medical Services.

The prestigious Nicholas Rosecrans Award, presented annually by The California Paramedic Foundation, recognizes EMS organizations nationwide that deliver excellence in injury and illness prevention programming. Read more.

Understanding Uterine Cancer

A new study (known as the Sister Study) released by the researchers at the National Institutes of Health finds that women who used chemical hair straightening products were at higher risk for uterine (endometrial) cancer compared to women who did not report using these products. The researchers found no associations with uterine cancer for other hair products that the women reported using, including hair dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms. Read more.

Are You at Risk for Heart Failure?

Heart failure is not a heart attack

“While some of the symptoms of heart failure may be similar to those of a heart attack, they are not the same,” says Ketan Gala, MD, FACC, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program at Cooper University Health Care and member provider of Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care.

Heart attacks occur when the heart’s blood supply is blocked, usually by a build-up of plaque in the arteries, which causes damage to the heart muscle. Read more.

Cooper University Health Care recognized by American Medical Association for promoting well-being of health care workers

Cooper University Health Care is one of only 28 health systems nationwide to earn the 2022 American Medical Association Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition. The AMA distinction is granted only to those organizations that demonstrate a commitment to preserving the well-being of clinical care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.

“This recognition highlights Cooper’s belief that supporting our medical providers and other team members is essential to our mission to serve, to heal, to educate,” said Eric Kupersmith, MD, SFHM, senior vice president and chief physician executive at Cooper. Read more.

The Dense Breasts Cancer Risk Factor

About one in eight women in the U.S. will have breast cancer in her lifetime. This is a staggering statistic. The good news is more women are aware of their risk factors due  to improved awareness, education, advanced diagnostic screenings, and genetic testing options.

“Doctors review many risk factors for breast cancer, including age, genetic mutations, and family history,” says Ryan Gruner, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. Read more.

National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Today, October 13, is National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, bringing attention to the unique needs of women and men living with metastatic, or stage IV, breast cancer. It’s also a chance to celebrate the strength and resilience of our metastatic patients.

It is estimated that 287,8500 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. About 6% of breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic. Read more.

Study by Cooper University Health Care Stroke Expert Published  in The New England Journal of Medicine Found that Minimally Invasive Procedure Is an Effective Treatment for Rare and Complex Strokes

Internationally known stroke expert Tudor Jovin, MD, medical director of the Cooper Neurological Institute at Cooper University Health Care and professor of neurology and neurological surgery at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is co-principal investigator and lead author of a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s leading medical journals. Read more.

Celebrating National Physician Assistant Week

National Physician Assistant Week takes place every year from October 6 through October 12. Physician assistants (PAs) are vital members of the team of professionals who treat patients in today’s complex health care setting. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative while providing high-quality, safe patient care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

At Cooper, our PAs are a vital part of our clinical team and perform many essential duties, including:

  • Taking medical histories
  • Conducting physical exams
  • Diagnosing and treating illnesses
  • Ordering and interpreting tests
  • Developing treatment plans
  • Prescribing medications
  • Counseling on preventive care
  • Performing procedures
  • Assisting in surgeries
  • Making rounds in hospitals and nursing homes
  • Conducting clinical research

Cooper is proud to have more than 100 PAs represented throughout the organization in both the ambulatory and hospital settings and in specialty areas including, but not limited to, Primary Care, Hospital Medicine, Critical Care, Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Neurology, Cardiology, Surgical Services, Orthopedics, Addiction Medicine, and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. Read more.

Cooper Recognizes National Coming Out Day

By Ryan Kirker, PA-C, Physician Assistant
Cooper Care Alliance and Cooper Center for LGBTQ+ Health

Today is National Coming Out Day (NCOD), and Cooper is proud to join in celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ voices. NCOD first originated back in 1988 by two queer activists, Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary who recognized the importance of power in visibility. Read more.