We want to thank everyone for their hard work in these challenging times. The good news is many more people are putting their trust in Cooper’s experts for their health care needs. The challenge is that we are very busy both in the hospital and in our ambulatory offices. Beginning the day today, we tied our record high patient census in the hospital. Thank you for all you are doing for our patients and please remember to check in on your colleagues.
Shanah tovah to all our Cooper team members who celebrated Rosh Hashanah this week.
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9-11, known also as Patriot Day. Many of us will never forget the horror and tragedy of that day. Our thoughts and prayers are with any of our team members who will be mourning the loss of a loved one or friend. We want to invite team members to post a picture, a story, or short video to Pulse+ describing what you remember from that day or how you may have responded and helped the victims that day or in the weeks following.
What You Should Know This Week:
- Stormy Weather and Potential Flooding Tonight. Please monitor weather reports this evening and stay safe as potentially severe storms and flooding move into our area again.
- New COVID-19 Surge. Unfortunately, the number of cases in New Jersey is rising. As of last night, there were 1,186 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state. At the peak of the state’s second wave surge last December, there were 3,800 patients hospitalized with the virus. At Cooper, we are seeing an increase in cases, as well. We continue to monitor the situation and we are working on plans to deal with another surge should it emerge in the coming weeks or months.
- State Mandated Testing Has Started. Yesterday, we started testing team members who are unvaccinated to comply with the State of New Jersey’s mandate. If you no longer wish to be tested, please sign up to receive the vaccine on myCooper.
- Reminder: If you were vaccinated anywhere but Cooper, you may be on our list of unvaccinated team members and you will be required to be tested for COVID-19 weekly in order to work. Please click here to update our records so you will not have to be tested.
- Respect for Each Other. The pandemic has been very difficult on all of us and we are dealing with increasing patient volumes and staffing challenges, as are health systems across the country. Additionally, many issues related to the pandemic, particularly related to vaccines and wearing masks, have become very emotional and controversial. We, however, have a responsibility to care for our patients as a unified team. Let’s remember to respect and have compassion for each other even when we disagree.
- To help increase community vaccination rates for COVID-19, Cooper is now offering vaccinations in 40 of our primary care offices. Click here to read more.
- 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.eduor 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.
- 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, including Chris, Dr. Warshal, and Alina. Click here to read more.
- Click here to read today’s Daily Dose, entitled, “7 Traits of Resilient People.” As always, you can view the Daily Dose archives here.
- Topic of the Week: Long COVID – “Long COVID” is a phrase used to describe post-COVID-19 conditions that some people experience for weeks or months after becoming infected with the virus. These conditions can happen in anyone who has had COVID-19, even if the illness was mild or they had no initial symptoms. Click here to learn more about long COVID conditions.
The best way to prevent long COVID is by getting vaccinated against the virus. Schedule your vaccination today on myCooper. The vaccine is available at the Kelemen Circle tent, primary care offices, and Urgent Care Centers. Movie quote: “Houston, we have a problem.”
We appreciate your ongoing hard work and commitment during these challenging times.
Please email CEOQuestions@CooperHealth.edu with any questions or comments.