New Jersey Superior Court Approves Cape Regional Health System Joining Cooper University Health Care

(CAMDEN and CAPE MAY, NJ) – The New Jersey Superior Court in Cape May County has approved Cape Regional Health System joining Cooper University Health Care.

“This historic agreement will provide the residents and visitors of Cape May and Atlantic Counties with greater access to more health care resources, innovative technologies, and specialists,” said George E. Norcross III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care’s Board of Trustees. “As the leading academic health system in the region, we committed to working with our new colleagues to provide the highest level of advanced health care and serve the health care needs of more communities across southern New Jersey.”

“Over the past year and a half, both systems worked diligently to bring together these two trusted health systems to serve the health care needs of the residents and visitors in our communities. We are delighted that our work has come to fruition. As we forge together as one, we remain committed to providing the highest quality health care to our communities,” stated Garry Gilbert, Chairman, Cape Regional Health System Board of Trustees.

The transaction was first announced in December 2022, followed by execution of a Definitive Agreement in April 2023. Since then, Cooper and Cape Regional worked through the necessary regulatory approvals.

“We are thrilled to have this final approval and look forward to joining Cooper University Health Care. Our respective health systems have a long history of working together to serve the residents and visitors of Cape May County,” stated Joanne Carrocino, FACHE, President and CEO, Cape Regional Health System.

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 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.

“We are happy to have this final approval so we can finally focus on providing the highest quality of care to the residents and visitors at the shore. Together, we are positioned well to address the evolving health care needs of this region and provide a more integrated health care experience from primary care to the most complex specialty care,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, Co-CEO of Cooper.

“Today’s approval marks a moment of great promise, as two anchor institutions in the southern New Jersey region are now cleared to join forces to better serve communities across South Jersey,” said Kevin O’Dowd, JD, Co-CEO of Cooper. “We look forward to working with our soon-to-be new colleagues to build upon their tremendous tradition of service to the residents and visitors of Cape May County.”

The combined health system will have:

• Two hospitals with more than 900 licensed beds.
• Revenue exceeding $2.2 billion annually.
• Nearly 11,000 combined team members.
• More than 1,000 employed physicians in three physician groups.
• More than 550 advanced practice providers.
• 130+ ambulatory locations across eight counties.
• Six urgent care centers.

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 10,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 950 employed physicians, and more than 550 advanced practice providers.

Cooper University Hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Hospitals annual survey.

Cooper has revenues of more than $2 billion and, along with its new upgraded “A” rating from S&P, recently received an A+ credit rating from Fitch Ratings. Cooper University Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. More than two million patients are served annually at Cooper’s 663-bed flagship hospital, outpatient surgery center, three urgent care centers, and more than 100 ambulatory offices throughout the community. Cooper has been named as one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes for three consecutive years.

The Cooper Health Sciences campus in Camden, New Jersey, is home to Cooper University Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.

About Cape Regional Health System

Cape Regional Health System is an integrated health care delivery system serving residents and visitors throughout Cape May County. The system includes Cape Regional Medical Center, three urgent care facilities, Cape Regional Physicians Associates with more than 60 primary care providers and specialists, the Thomas and Claire Brodesser, Jr., Cancer Center, the Claire C. Brodesser Surgery Center, the Jane Osborne Center, Cape Regional Home Health Care managed by BAYADA, Cape Regional Miracles Fitness, and various freestanding outpatient facilities offering wound care, radiology, lab, and physical therapy services. Cape Regional is accredited by and has received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. To learn more, visit: www.caperegional.com