Cape Regional Health System is now part of Cooper University Health Care — and the flagship facility for Cape May and Atlantic counties has a new name: Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, the two systems announced Monday morning.
Cooper Chairman George Norcross said the new entity will impact the region
“This agreement will transform health care for the residents and visitors of Cape May and Atlantic counties,” he said. “We are ready to move forward and for our unified team to begin delivering the highest level of advanced health care to more people in Shore communities and beyond. We are excited by the opportunity to build something extraordinary here.”
Garry Gilbert, the now-former chairman of the Cape Regional Health System board of trustees, agreed.
“Today is a significant day and a new chapter for health care in Cape May County and beyond,” he said. “I want to thank our entire team for all the great work in serving the people of this community so well, for so many years, that brought us to this exciting new beginning where we will be able to serve even more people.”
The announcement was not a surprise.
In December 2022, Cooper and Cape Regional announced the proposal to join together, followed by execution of a definitive agreement in April 2023. Final regulatory approval by the New Jersey Superior Court of Cape May County was secured May 28. The transaction was officially completed effective Monday.
Cooper, with its market-leading MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, is based in the city of Camden and is southern New Jersey’s leading academic health system and only Level I trauma center, with more than $2.2 billion in revenue. Cape Regional Health System has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission and is an integrated health care delivery system serving residents throughout Cape May County.
Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care, was thrilled the move was complete.
“We are happy to have brought this vision to reality,” he said. “We look forward to working with our new colleagues to build upon their tremendous work and provide the highest quality of primary and specialty care to the residents and visitors at the shore.”
About Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care, with its MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and affiliation with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is a leading academic health system. Cooper has more than 11,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians, and more than 550 advanced practice providers.
Co-CEO Kevin O’Dowd agreed.
“Today is a day of great promise, as two teams have become one team dedicated to serving communities across South Jersey,” he said. “We look forward to the future and the work we will do with our new team members and with residents and visitors to the shore region.”
Christine Winn, a senior vice president and chief regional officer for Cooper, who will oversee Cooper operations in Cape May and Atlantic counties, including Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, said she is ready to get going.
“The entire Cooper team is looking forward to collaborating with our new team members in Cape May County to enhance access to the highest levels of care and enrich the health care experience for the people of Cape May and Atlantic counties,” she said.
Joanne Carrocino, the CEO of Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, agreed.
“The future of health care is very bright for the residents and visitors of Cape May County as a result of this merger,” she said. “The Cape Regional team is excited to begin working with our new colleagues at Cooper.”
