(Camden and Cape May Court House, NJ) \u2013 Cooper University Health Care proudly announces the 2025 Armed Forces Persons of the Year honorees, recognizing outstanding Cooper team members whose military and civilian service exemplify dedication, integrity, and compassion. Winners of the award are nominated by their colleagues.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s recipients include Dana O\u2019Donnell from Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and co-honorees Dennis Perez and Erasmo \u201cRico\u201d Rivera from Cooper University Hospital in Camden.<\/p>\n
The honorees were recognized during Cooper\u2019s annual Veterans Day celebrations, with ceremonies held at both Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional on Monday, November 10, and Cooper University Hospital in Camden on Tuesday, November 11. The celebrations are among Cooper\u2019s most honored Veterans Day traditions, bringing together team members, veterans, and active military members to recognize those who have served our nation and continue to serve through their work in health care.<\/p>\n
Dana O\u2019Donnell, a histotechnologist in the Laboratory Department, served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1974 to 1994, retiring with the rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman. A Vietnam War and Desert Storm veteran, Dana\u2019s lifetime of service \u2013 both military and civilian \u2013 perfectly embodies Cooper\u2019s values of inclusion, \u201cinclusion, compassion, and excellence. \u00a0Her 20 years in the Navy instilled in her a deep sense of discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to serving others \u2013 qualities she brings daily to her work at Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional. Beyond Cooper, Dana is active in the community, volunteering with the American Heart Association and the annual Shore Run for Nurses, and serving in leadership roles with the Little Egg Harbor Al-Anon Families and Friends Group.<\/p>\n
Dennis Perez, manager of ambulatory security operations in Cooper\u2019s Security Department, is a U.S. Marine veteran who consistently demonstrates servant-leadership both at Cooper and in the community. His presence provides reassurance to patients, families, visitors, and staff alike. Outside of work, Dennis is active with the Flyers Warriors Hockey Program, supporting fellow veterans recovering from both visible and invisible wounds.<\/p>\n
Erasmo \u201cRico\u201d Rivera, trauma technician in the Cooper Trauma Center, serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Widely praised by his colleagues, Rico is known for his compassion, teamwork, and tireless commitment to patient care. He works every weekend to accommodate his wife, who is also active-duty military, while caring for their two young children. Described as a \u201cbeacon of light\u201d on the Trauma Admitting and Trauma Intensive Care Unit teams , Rico is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) while serving in the reserves and working full time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe service and sacrifice of these remarkable Cooper team members\u00a0inspire us all and remind\u00a0us of the deep connection between service to country and service to community,\u201d said George E. Norcross III,\u00a0Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care. \u201cAs a health system, Cooper greatly values the contributions of\u00a0veterans and active-duty military personnel \u2014 not only for the\u00a0sacrifices they have made, but for the strength, leadership, and sense\u00a0of purpose they bring to our organization each day. Supporting our\u00a0military heroes and their families is, and will continue to be, an\u00a0essential part of who we are at Cooper.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCooper holds military service and our military team members in high regard because of their commitment to serving others. Each of this year\u2019s honorees reflect Cooper\u2019s mission \u2013 to serve, to heal, to educate \u2013 through their military service, their daily work, and their leadership within our health system and their communities,\u201d said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Veterans Day, and throughout the year, Cooper has a longstanding tradition of honoring those who have served our nation in the military,\u201d said Kevin O\u2019Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care. \u201cThis year\u2019s Armed Forces Persons of the Year, Dana, Dennis, and Rico, represent the compassion, professionalism, and dedication to serving others that both military service and Cooper\u2019s mission embody.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s ceremonies also featured the presentation of a new honor \u2014 the Congressional Champion for Military and Veterans Award<\/strong> \u2014 recognizing elected officials who have demonstrated outstanding advocacy for service members, veterans, and their families. Congressman Donald Norcross<\/strong> was recognized at the Camden event and Congressman Jeff Van Drew<\/strong> received the award at the Cape Regional ceremony.<\/p>\n Established in 2018, the Cooper Armed Forces Person of the Year Award is presented annually near Veterans Day to recognize Cooper team members who have made exceptional contributions to the health system, their community, and the nation.<\/p>\n This recognition underscores Cooper\u2019s ongoing commitment to supporting the United States military and veterans, celebrating team members\u2019 service to the country and their impact on health care and the community.<\/p>\n
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