
The HeroCare Connect™ program is a medical concierge scheduling and navigation service for active-duty and retired military, veterans, and their families. It was created via a unique partnership between Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Cooper University Health Care.
The program helps military members schedule specialty medical appointments, follow-up visits and tests, as well as help them manage prescriptions and insurance requirements.
For military members, the program can save time and frustration. But most importantly, it can save lives.
Joseph Godfrey of Little Egg Harbor served in Vietnam. When he received a recent cancer diagnosis, the HeroCare Connect™ team made the immediate appointments he needed at Cooper’s oncology program and transported Godfrey to and from the facility. Their work “saved his life” according to Godfrey’s wife Dorothy in a HeroCare Connect™ testimonial.
Lenny Yanchar also served in Vietnam. He has COPD and was recently diagnosed with cancer.
“Sometimes you have to wait three months or longer for specialty care,” said Yanchar in a HeroCare Connect™ testimonial. “When they tell me my appointment is three months out, I can ask the VA to utilize community care. That’s how I came to HeroCare Connect™.”
The service made timely appointments for Yanchar so his treatments could begin as soon as possible.
“They always treat me with respect,” said Yanchar. “This team does it all for me.”
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The partnership between Deborah and Cooper to create HeroCare Connect™ began in 2016 out of their mutual dedication to honor and serve the military and its families. Two institutions not otherwise affiliated rarely join forces, but their complementary expertise and resources made the idea compelling.

“Deborah primarily specializes in heart, lung and vascular treatments,” said Christine Carlson-Glazer, vice president, government and community relations at Deborah, “and Cooper is a full-service acute care and Level One trauma center; so HeroCare™ Connect™ spans all capabilities. The result of our combining resources is truly lifesaving for those the program touches.”
“Cooper has a big focus on serving the military and ensuring they get the highest level of care,” said George Norcross, chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper Health System. “We have what we call VIP treatment where any veteran, regardless of age or insurance status, can get the treatment he or she needs.”
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The deep and extensive network of health care professionals associated with Deborah and Cooper is what helps military members get medical appointments more quickly than they might otherwise.
“Remember, when a lot of active-duty members arrive at the Joint Base, they are coming from other parts of the U.S. or other bases around the world,” said Carlson-Glazer. “When they arrive, they may not know anyone. Getting a timely appointment with a health care provider can be tough. I can’t emphasize how important it is to help them settle into their communities and have their healthcare needs met.”

“The concept was simple,” said Norcross. “We wanted to serve those who have, and are, serving us, so we ought to provide direct service to our veterans and active-duty military immediately. The concept of individual service grew dramatically. The concept of same-day service grew dramatically. HeroCare grew dramatically.”
“HeroCare Connect™ advocates for the patient and what he or she needs at all times,” said Carlson-Glazer. She provided a recent example.
“I received a call on a Saturday from an officer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” she recalled. “He was supposed to deploy overseas with his unit the day before, but he needed to see a GI (gastrointestinal) specialist and have an ultrasound before he could be cleared to deploy. He asked if we could help him.
“Over the weekend we worked to set him up for the ultrasound first thing Monday morning at Deborah. Afterward, one of our HeroCare Connect™ patient service specialists took him to the Deborah cafeteria and bought him lunch before he headed over to the Cooper office in Willingboro to see the GI doctor. He was on a plane to join his unit that night.”
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Norcross would like to see services like HeroCare Connect ™ be a catalyst for changes in the nation’s health care system when it comes to military members.
“We have the greatest health care system in the world,” he said. “Why shouldn’t veterans be able to pick the provider they want? We need a comprehensive approach like Medicare for veterans.”
Norcross cited legislation introduced by his brother – Congressman Donald Norcross who represents New Jersey’s First Congressional District – that would allow private institutions to service veterans with the VA covering the costs.
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Today, HeroCare Connect™ handles an average of 400 calls per month. Carlson-Glazer says the team works directly with patients, but also with case managers and providers at the 87th Air Base Wing’s Medical Group at Joint Base MDL, the area VA hospitals (East Orange, Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware) as well as the VA’s community-based outpatient clinics with whom Carlson-Glazer says HeroCare™ Connect has very collaborative relationships.
“The team at HeroCare Connect™ makes magic happen every day,” said Carlson-Glazer. “You never know what need or problem will be on the other end of the phone when it rings, but no matter what it is, our team gets the job done. HeroCare Connect™ makes sure the right things are done in the right order and always in the best interest of the patient. That is when you get the best outcomes.”