Cooper celebrates Patient Safety Week, March 13-19, 2016.

I’m Dr. Erin Pukenas. I’m an anesthesiologist here at Cooper University Health Care and also the Patient Safety Officer.

Your safety when visiting Cooper is our number one priority. Every day we are focused on ways to ensure your safety when you visit Cooper or any of our physicians’ offices.

There is a great deal of work that we do to ensure your safety when you visit Cooper, including:

• Creating a culture of safety awareness among all employees;
• Developing standards and oversight for all safety practices and procedures;
• Providing regular patient safety training and education to doctors and nurses;
• Using the latest technology to improve patient care and safety;
• Measuring whether we are meeting the latest patient safety standards.

Read more.

On Thursday, March 10, 2016, representatives of the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper visited St. Anthony of Padua School in Camden to accept a gift of handmade “Heart Hug” pillows to be given to hospitalized children.

The “Heart Hug” pillow project was initiated by Linda Burns, an art teacher at St. Anthony of Padua School, as a way for students and their families to engage in community service. Read more.

Cooper is offering a program to help veterans support their peers with the goal of teaching strategies and techniques for improved health and lifestyle.

During the Peer Leader Training, veterans learn how to coach skills such as managing pain and fatigue, better communication, making decision about treatments, and problem-solving.

Cooper is also offering classes for individuals aimed at helping them improve their health. Read more.

Cooper University Health Care and  the Cooper in Schools (CIS) Program invites school nurses, coaches, athletic trainers and school administrators to a continuing education symposium, “Health Care: High Stakes, High Standards,”  on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westin Mount Laurel, 555 Fellowship Road, Mount Laurel, NJ.

The symposium features prominent Cooper physicians and clinicians addressing issues that affect a child’s physical and mental well-being. Read more.

Nancy J. Hammill, MS Ed, learning therapist, professional development and outreach coordinator at the Cooper Learning Center, has been named the Sam Kirk Educator of the Year by the Learning Disabilities Association of America. The Sam Kirk Educator of the Year award is given annually to an educator who has made outstanding contributions to the education of people with learning disabilities.

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Screening Program (NJCEED) are hosting a free lunch and learn, “Colon Cancer: From Screening to Survivorship,” on Thursday, March 24, 2016 from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ.

Cooper University Health Care Chairman George E. Norcross, III, today announced that the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation has awarded The Cooper Foundation a $2 million grant to help fund the expansion of the cancer genetics program at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.

Cooper University Health Care is holding a Support Services Career Fair on Monday, February 22, 2016, for:

• Cooks
• Food and Nutrition Workers
• Food and Nutrition Hospitality Associates
• Kitchen Attendants
• Transporters
• Security Officers
• Support Services Associates (Housekeeping)

Where: Cooper University Hospital, Roberts Pavilion, Room 1014

When: Monday, February 22, 2016, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Candidates must possess excellent customer service skills, and have an upbeat and positive attitude. Read more.

We are proud to announce that Terry Ricca, Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, has been named chairperson of the American Heart Association’s 10th Annual Southern New Jersey Go Red For Women^® luncheon. The annual event raises awareness, promotes education, and builds passion among South Jersey women to know their personal risk of heart disease and stroke, the No. Read more.

You may have heard or read about the Zika virus in the media. The World Health Organization has declared this a Global Health Emergency. Although the direct risk to most of us in this region is very low, there are issues related to this virus that can impact our community. The Infection Prevention Department at Cooper University Health Care has created this FAQ to provide you with clarification and resources to help you navigate through all of the information. Read more.