July Employee of the Month: Sara Markovic, Lead Insurance Specialist, Department of Health Care Access
Sara Markovic, Lead Insurance Specialist, Health Care Access, joined Cooper in 2004 as a Patient Service Representative and then quickly transitioned into insurance verification and authorizations. For the past six years, she’s been obtaining authorizations for MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper patients. She enjoys working in the cancer field and is grateful for the amazing team that she works alongside each day. Sara has a 15-year-old son who keeps her busy. She also enjoys baking and cooking, and recently started refinishing furniture. Sara is very appreciative of this honor and grateful for her coworkers and team.
A few of Sara’s nominations are below:
“Working with Sara as my lead has been an amazing experience. She is so knowledgeable, not just within this department but within Cooper itself. Sara shows compassion and kindness towards each and every employee and is always in a pleasant happy mood. She will go to bat to stick up for her employees and make sure we are comfortable and okay with whatever happens. I know personally I can come to Sara with any issues I have whether it is personal or something work related without hesitation. She is the true definition of a leader and deserves to be recognized for all she does.”
“Sara, thank you for all the hard work and dedication you have shown on our team. You always go over and beyond with our tasks. With your quick thinking and fair leadership, our team has grown and our production is always on point. Sara, thank you for making us stronger by creating team building activities, speaking up for us and most of all thank you for being YOU. Keep up the excellent work. Thank you Sara!”
Q2 2022 Physician of the Quarter: Matthew Ortman, MD, Electrophysiologist, HEART Cardio 1 Cooper
Dr. Ortman graduated with a major in biology and a minor in history from Johns Hopkins University in 1998 and went on to complete his medical degree at the University of Maryland in 2003. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and fellowships in cardiovascular disease and electrophysiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2010. He started working at Cooper after fellowship and has never looked back
In his free time, he spends time with his wife, Katherine; daughter, Lucy; son, Theo; and dog, Ruby.
A few of Dr. Ortman’s nominations are below:
“Dr. Ortman is a brilliant electrophysiologist. He’s always very kind and understanding with his patients, and always respectful to his coworkers. It’s always fun getting to work with him!”
“Dr. Ortman is one of the most attentive doctors we have with patients and with the staff. He walks in the rooms so bright and full of life that puts anyone I’ve seen at ease. He has patients that refuse to see anyone else they would rather wait then to see another physician. Dr. Ortman is such an easy doctor to work with and very understanding. I think this quarter he deserves this.”
Q2 2022 Provider of the Quarter: Regina Cameron, APN, Advanced Practice Nurse, Nephrology
Regina Cameron was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her degree as an advanced practice nurse (APN) in December 2010 from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and joined the Cooper team in March 2011. She has worked as an APN in the Nephrology Division for the last 11 years. Regina enjoys the relationship that she has with her team, as well as feeling like part of a group that truly strives to always do the right thing for patients. In her leisure time, she likes spending time at the beach with her family and reading.
A few of Regina’s nominations are below:
“Regina is extremely motivated and hard working. She has great leadership qualities and is always ready to volunteer for administrative duties which are beyond the scope of her medical practice responsibilities. She has an excellent rapport with patients as well as all the staff members. She has a very pleasant demeanor and excellent bedside manner. I think she is very deserving of being recognized as APN provider of the quarter.”
“Regina is a great person to work with. She is an amazing team member, goes above and beyond to help out patients, as well as physicians, to provide the best care for the patient. She is extremely reliable and never fails in giving the highest level of care to patients at all times.”
Q2 2022 Resident of the Quarter: Qi Yang Wang, MD, Fellow PGY-6, Breast Surgical Oncology
Dr. Wang graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biologic Sciences from Louisiana State University. She remained at Louisiana State University for medical school and then completed a general surgery residency at Lehigh Valley Health System in Allentown, PA. While at Lehigh Valley as a chief resident, she received the Education and Leadership awards. She is board certified in general surgery as well as a member of The American Society of Breast Surgeons and Society of Surgical Oncology. She will complete her breast surgical oncology fellowship this year at Cooper and then move to Illinois to begin her career.
A few of Dr. Wang’s nominations are below:
“Dr. Wang has been our extraordinary fellow on the breast service in the past year. Extraordinary does not describe her level of dedication to our patients and our team fully. She sees every single patient on our service every day and knows every single thing about them. Patients adore her – I have gotten so many compliments from patients in regards to her caring manner. She is by far the best trainee I have ever had – she truly deserves recognition for her dedication to making things better for our patients.”
“Qi has been the fellow at the breast surgery service for almost a year and she has been outstanding, compassionate to patients, helpful to residents and students, organizing a significant portion of the service with always a smile on her face.”
Q2 2022 Manager of the Quarter: Dennis Perez, LT, Security Lieutenant, Security
Dennis was born at Cooper University Hospital and raised in the City of Camden. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged after completing his enlistment obligation. He then started his career with the New Jersey Department of Corrections as a corrections police officer, and retired after 21 years of service. In November 2011, he joined Cooper’s Security Department. In November 2014, he was promoted to the position of Sergeant. In January 2017, he was promoted to his current position as Lieutenant. He continues to live by the motto Semper Fidelis, which means “always faithful.”
When Dennis gets time to relax, he enjoys reading Tom Clancy novels and traveling to Notre Dame football games.
Dennis constantly demonstrates Cooper’s core values. He is a great team player and cares about his team members. Dennis’s team members say he is a manager with great compassion, strength, integrity, honesty, professionalism, and respect.