We hope you are having a safe and productive week. We appreciate everything you are doing to support our patients, families, and each other.
What You Should Know This Week:
- Cooper’s Flu Vaccination Program is up and running. Please review the information here to ensure you are compliant. Click here for the schedule.
- Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shots. This week, Cooper began administering booster shots in the hospital lobby (this week, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for team members who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine based upon the CDC recommendation. You can schedule your booster shot on myCooper. Remember to bring your vaccine card so we can add your booster shot to it. The Pfizer boosters shots have not been mandated and are not required to be considered fully vaccinated. When you receive your COVID-19 booster you can also receive your flu shot, if you wish. Please note that on Monday, October 4, 2021, the Pfizer COVID-19 booster clinic will move from the hospital lobby to the Kelemen Tent. Click here for more information.
- Update: State Mandated Testing Continues. The State of New Jersey requires all unvaccinated Cooper team members to have a negative COVID-19 test within seven days of working a shift. The antigen tests are available Monday through Friday at the Hospital Garage and any Cooper Primary Care location with LabCorp services. The test kits are also available seven days a week in the Health Care Access office in the Roberts Pavilion. Team members can also receive a PCR test (nasopharyngeal) on Saturday or Sunday in the Hospital Garage, if you choose. Click here for the full schedule.
- Update: Federal Vaccine Mandate. Recently, we advised you that President Biden mandated that all health care workers receive a COVID-19 vaccine or be subject to disciplinary action, including termination, unless they receive an exemption. The federal government has not provided any additional guidance on this vaccine mandate, its timing, or the exemptions that will be permitted. To assist us prepare for this mandate, we ask that if you plan to apply for an exemption based upon medical or religious grounds, please email EmployeeHealthNurse@CooperHealth.edu. We will convey new information on this federal government mandate when we receive it. Remember, you can sign up on myCooper to get a COVID-19 vaccine at any time.
- Military Person of the Year Award. A few years ago, Cooper established the Military Person of the Year Award to honor a deserving employee who has made significant contributions to Cooper and in the community. Nominations are now open for this year’s award. Any employee who has had at least one year of employment at Cooper and who is a veteran or an active member of the military in any branch is eligible for nomination. Nominations can be made online by clicking here. The nomination deadline is Friday, October 15, 2021. More information about the employee military celebration will be coming soon.
- Voting for Philadelphia Magazine’s 2022 Top Doctors is now open. The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2021. Cooper physicians, please take this opportunity to submit a nomination for one of your colleagues. Learn more here.
- The Cooper Foundation raised a record-breaking $2.3 million at its 11th Annual Red Hot Gala, which was held virtually this year. Click here to read more.
- We love to hear patient feedback about their excellent health care experience at Cooper. Kudos to all who are making The Cooper Experience a reality and who received individual recognition from our patients in recent surveys. Click here to read more.
- Click here to read today’s Daily Dose, entitled, “The Holes in Your Cup.” As always, you can view the Daily Dose archives here.
- Topic of the Week: Backpacks – This year’s Cooper employee gift – an insulated, Cooper-branded backpack – is here just in time for all your outdoor fall activities. You will receive a backpack, if you haven’t already from your direct supervisor this week. This is a great opportunity to share your pride in Cooper while getting some fresh air. Please post a photo on Pulse+ to let us know where you’ve been taking your backpack – hiking, apple picking, on a picnic. Let’s see how far you can take your pride in Cooper.
Movie Quote: “And it’s like I’m supposed to be all happy ‘cause she’s wearing a backpack, you know?”
We appreciate your ongoing hard work and commitment during these challenging times.