We hope you are having a safe and productive week. We appreciate everything you are doing to support our patients, families and each other.
G’mar chatima tova to our Cooper team members observing Yom Kippur, which begins this evening.
What You Should Know This Week:
- State Mandated Testing Continues. Team members who are not fully vaccinated must be COVID-19 tested weekly under a mandate from the State of New Jersey. Each test is valid for seven days. Before beginning a shift, you must have had a negative COVID-19 test within the seven previous days. If you no longer wish to be tested, please sign up to receive the vaccine on myCooper.
- Federal Vaccine Mandate. Last week, we sent an email letting you know that President Biden will be mandating that all health care workers receive a COVID-19 vaccine or be subject to disciplinary action, including termination. We have not received any additional information on this vaccine mandate, the mandate’s timing, or the exemptions that will be permitted. If you are not vaccinated and you plan to apply for an exemption based upon medical or religious grounds, please email EmployeeHealthNurse@CooperHealth.edu by this Friday, September 17, 2021, to assist us in complying with this mandate. To be clear, this Friday is not the date you have to be vaccinated, but only the date by which you should email us if you wish to apply for an exemption. You can, however, sign up on myCooper to get a COVID-19 vaccine at any time.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Third Shot / Boosters. The FDA and CDC are still deliberating on the necessity for third shot / booster for the COVID-19 vaccines, but will be making a recommendation as early as this Friday. We are working on plans to provide third shots / boosters and will provide more details if they are recommended.
- Win Prizes in Our I Spy Campaign. We appreciate your input to give our Mission, Vision, and Values a refresh this past year. We need your help again to track down remnants of our old Mission, Vision, and Values across our health system. We know there are signs and documents all over our Cooper Network that we need to update. Send in a tip to CooperCom@CooperHealth.edu or post on Pulse+ to be entered weekly into a raffle to win wireless ear pods, $100 gift cards, and Cooper swag.
- The Cooper Experience. Send us a short video describing what makes you most proud to work at Cooper and submit it to Pulse+ or to CooperCom@cooperhealth.edu. All submissions will receive a gift and a few lucky contributors will be randomly selected to win a $100 gift card.
- This fall, Cooper will display a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence in the Roberts Pavilion. The display is made possible by Cooper’s Chairman, George E. Norcross III, whose family purchased the document in honor of a close family friend and colleague. Click here to read more.
- Today marks the official start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until October 15, 2021. During this month, we recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. To read more about this special month of recognition, click here.
- 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, “7 Things to Do When Your Tank Is Empty.” As always, you can view the Daily Dose archives here.
- Topic of the Week: Flu Vaccines – Later this week, you will receive a communication about Cooper’s 2021–2022 flu vaccination program, which begins next week. The State of New Jersey mandates all health care workers receive the flu vaccine. Please review the message carefully to ensure that you are compliant. To learn more about this year’s flu vaccine, click here. Movie quote: “You’re the disease, and I’m the cure.”
We appreciate your ongoing hard work and commitment during these challenging times.
Please email CEOQuestions@CooperHealth.edu with any questions or comments.