#HAVhope Day Awareness

Friday, June 2, 2023, was #HAVhope Day, which is a national day of awareness from the American Hospital Association highlighting how America’s hospitals and health systems combat violence in their workplaces and communities. At Cooper, the safety of our team, patients, and visitors is a top priority.

Here are some ways we’re keeping you safe:

  • Cooper led the effort in working with legislators to increase penalties for violence against health care workers. The Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act was signed into law by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy last month. This bill increases penalties for those who threaten or commit acts of violence against workers in health care settings.
  • We’ve created a Cooper Safe Corridor with new lighting, cameras, and emergency call stations; enhanced police and security presence; and have made safety escorts available.
  • Our “See Something, Say Something” campaign encourages anyone to reach out and report suspicious behavior.
  • We installed a new infant protection system with adult patient monitoring.
  • We’re enhancing security officer training in 2023 to include IAHSS Security Officer Certifications and de-escalation training. Security visibility will include reflective vests and active exterior patrolling.
  • We welcomed a new violence prevention coordinator, selected a nationally recognized de-escalation training program, and provide ongoing education to all team members at all locations.

As always, we also continue our role in the community as leaders in gun violence prevention and education through our Level 1 Trauma Center, EMS Outreach, and Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper. Our programs help families keep their firearms safely stored, teach violence prevention strategies to our communities, and connect trauma patients with ongoing resources in their healing.

Join us in working together to promote safety in our Cooper and Camden communities.