This past Veterans Day, Cooper University Health Care’s Section of Military, Diplomatic & Field Surgical Affairs (MILDAF) led a week-long series of impactful events. From receiving the “We Value Our Veterans Award” to responding heroically to a mass casualty incident and fostering education through lectures and historic excursions, the week highlighted Cooper’s unwavering commitment to honoring heroes, advancing military medicine, and supporting its veteran community.
November 11, 2024: Veterans Day 2024 was a busy one. The day started in Holmdel, NJ, with Tim Galvin, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Maj., DANG, Administrative Director for Section of Military, Diplomatic & Field Surgical Affairs, accepting the New Jersey Governor’s Department of Veterans Affairs “We Value Our Veterans Award” on behalf of Cooper University Health Care. Simultaneously, Louis Bezich, MPP, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and John Chovanes, DO, FACS, USA, a trauma surgeon and Chief Surgeon for Section of Military, Diplomatic & Field Surgical Affairs at Cooper, served as master of ceremony and guest speaker respectively at the first Veterans Day celebration honoring veteran team members at Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional. Samantha Millspaugh, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech and language pathologist, of Cape May Court House, NJ, a who previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard, was honored as Cooper University Health Care’s Armed Forces Persons of the Year for 2024.
Later that afternoon, the MILDAF team hosted another heartfelt Veterans Day Celebration at Cooper University Hospital in Camden where Jim Baca, senior operations director for the joint Cooper University Health Care/Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Simulation and Clinical Education Center in Camden also received Cooper University Health Care’s Armed Forces Person of the Year for 2024. Jim is a former Navy hospital corpsman.
Both events and the nominee selection process were meticulously planned by a group of dedicated members that were past recipients and a separate group composed of MILDAF, and Marketing and Communications team members.
Col. Erik Erickson, Commander of the 177th Medical Group, delivered the keynote address at the Camden event. The eventful day concluded with a special dinner for trauma attendings at Café Aldo Lamberti. Attendees included Dr. John Porter, Division Head of the Department of Trauma; Dr. John Chovanes; Dr. Francis Spitz, Chief of the Department of Surgery; Dr. Jeremey Cannon, trauma surgeon from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Amit Joshi, general surgery surgeon and Dean of Graduate Medical Education; and Dr. Michael Kwiatt, colorectal surgeon and General Residency Program Director.
November 12, 2024: The day started with the Second Annual Kirby Gross Lecture Series as part of Surgery Grand Rounds. Guest speaker Dr. Jeremy Cannon from the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, gave a thought-provoking presentation: “The Combat Casualty Care Peacetime Effect at a Crossroads: Are We Preparing to Fail? Or Planning to Win?” The series also included trauma case presentations by chief residents, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and expertise followed by a session of “stump the professor.”
November 13, 2024: Unexpectedly, a mass casualty incident occurred on the NJ Turnpike near Exit 3 Northbound, involving a military contracted bus and a tractor trailer. The MILDAF team, along with local EMS, and hospital clinicians responded swiftly, providing critical care and support to the injured Army Reservists and drivers. Cooper University Health Care played a pivotal role in triaging and treating the injured, while the MILDAF team coordinated with reserve command staff and family members to ensure comprehensive care and communication. The residual effects and care of the soldiers, their families and the command staff extended through several days of the next two weeks.
November 15, 2024: The week concluded with a MILDAF educational excursion to historic sites including Fort Billingsport, Fort Mercer, and Fort Mifflin. Nearly 50 Cooper team members and guests representing all campuses attended the event to learn about key battles during the Revolutionary War, rounding off a week of remembrance, education, and community support.
This week exemplified the dedication and resilience of the MILDAF team and the broader community in honoring veterans, learning lessons from the past, the present and the future of military medicine, and responding to emergencies with compassion and efficiency.
