Cooper University Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamara A. LaCouture, M.D., as the Chief of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Cooper University Hospital and Vice Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. LaCouture is board certified in radiation oncology and has extensive experience utilizing advanced radiation delivery systems and technologies such as high dose rate brachytherapy (including Mammosite), IMRT, respiratory gating and stereotactic radiotherapy, as well as conventional 3 Dimensional conformal therapy.

Cooper University Hospital will take part in a clinical trial of the first medical device designed to specifically treat aortic dissections, an often-fatal condition that affects tens of thousands in the U.S. and claimed the life of actor John Ritter. Recognized as a preferred treatment center for the minimally invasive treatment of aortic diseases, Cooper was approved by the hospital’s institutional review board (IRB) for its involvement in the study. This approval follows the recent appointment of the trial’s global principal investigator, Joseph V. Lombardi, M.D., FACS, as chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at Cooper and associate professor of surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey.

In the past two years, cardiothoracic surgery at Cooper University Hospital has been transformed into a cardiac program that has been recognized as among the top 14 percent in the nation by The Society for Thoracic Surgeons. The “Three Star” rating that Cooper received places it in the highest quality tier of The Society for Thoracic Surgeons comprehensive rating system. This system compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals across the country. All aspects of quality care in cardiothoracic surgery were measured including compliance with recommended medical practices, prompt delivery of time-critical treatment, availability of resources, staff performance and patient outcomes.

(Camden, New Jersey) Cooper University Hospital is pleased to announce that it has received the Silver Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines Program for excellence in the management of heart failure. Heart Failure affects over five million Americans, accounting for more than one million hospital admissions each year. Hospitals in this program are recognized for using evidence-based guidelines in each of the categories Get With The Guidelines measures. Those hospitals marking 85 percent compliance for 12 consecutive months are given the Silver Performance Achievement award.

(Camden, New Jersey) The Cooper Health System has appointed retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel B. Rosen as General Counsel. In this role, Mr. Rosen will oversee all legal issues related to the operation of Cooper, and provide advice and representation to help Cooper fulfill its mission and meet its goals. He will assume his new role at Cooper effective October 1, 2009. “Mr. Rosen has had a long and distinguished career both as a practicing lawyer and as a Judge,” said John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer at Cooper. “During these very complex times for the U.S. health care industry, we are pleased to have someone with such a wealth of legal experience joining our leadership team.”

(CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY) — Cooper University Hospital and its Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery is proud to announce the approval of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship Program. Full accreditation was granted by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) on June 26, 2009. Sanjay Kumar, M.D., has already begun his two years of training at Cooper; and the new program has also secured a 2010 fellowship for Nyali Taylor, from the University of Pennsylvania.

New program launched in Camden with help of significant grants from PSE&G and the Cooper Foundation (Camden, New Jersey) Among balloons, bubbles and the laughter of children playing on brand-new playground equipment, officials from the city, county and state joined community and business leaders to celebrate the launch of the “Clean and Safe Cooper Plaza” program this morning at the newly re-opened Cooper Commons Park. This dual celebration was the first event to be held at the park and marks its grand re-opening.

On Wednesday, June 10, 2009, Chris Gunderson, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate from Mount Laurel, N.J., donated 30 blankets to the Cooper Cancer Institute. These blankets will benefit cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Gunderson is a member of Boy Scout Troop 44 in Moorestown, N.J. He is working toward achieving Eagle Scout status - the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Cooper University Hospital is proud to appoint Michael Sinno as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “It’s an honor and humbling experience to be selected as CIO of Cooper University Hospital,” said Sinno. “It’s a reward in itself to be able to come to work each day doing something that I truly love.”

Cooper University Hospital is proud to appoint Carolyn E. Bekes, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. “Dr. Bekes has had a very successful career at Cooper and has served in many and varied capacities. Through effective leadership and hard work, I am confident that she will continue to excel within this new position.” said John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer.