Sandra and George Norcross Pledge $5 Million to Cooper University Hospital

CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandra and George Norcross today announced a $5 million pledge to Cooper University Hospital. It is the first commitment in a $50 million capital campaign to help fund the rapid expansion of one of New Jersey's preeminent medical centers. The Norcrosses are co-chairing the campaign with Sal Paolantonio, a member of the Cooper Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.  As part of their pledge, George and Sandra Norcross presented a check for $1 million to the Hospital. (Download photo at http://assets.cooperhealth.org/media/Norcross-Paolantonio.jpg)

The pledge coincides with the recent accreditation of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the announcement of the new Cooper Cancer Institute. The Cooper Medical School, an initiative led by George Norcross's father nearly 40 years ago, will be the first new medical school in New Jersey in more than 30 years and one of only 135 in the country. It will admit its first class in the fall of 2012.

The new $100 million Cooper Cancer Institute in Camden will break ground in April 2012 and is expected to open in the fall of 2013.  A state of the art comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer center and the expansion of its Voorhees campus program will provide world class cancer care close to home.

"This check and our pledge is a way to honor our past, while calling the next generations into action," said George Norcross. "We are doing this in the names of our parents, George and Carol Norcross; John and Doris Triem; and the entire Norcross family.  It was my father's original dream that Cooper, to which he had dedicated so much of his life as a trustee and advocate, would become the backbone of a new future for Camden and the entire South Jersey community."

The initial donation and pledge comes amid continued momentum in the hospital's $600 million expansion of The Cooper Health Sciences Campus, comprising 20 square blocks in downtown Camden – the most dramatic physical expansion and improvement in the area in decades. Through partnerships with city, county, and state agencies, and numerous community partners, the investment in the neighborhood has resulted in the rehabilitation of local parks, pedestrian-friendly streets and housing.

The Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of the Diocese of Camden, said, "George's dedication and commitment to the revitalization of the City of Camden is demonstrated by this extraordinarily generous pledge that he and Sandy have made."  He added that "George's continuing effort to replace the despair of the present with hope for the future encourages all of us."

Sal Paolantonio, noted author and national television commentator for ESPN, spoke of the Norcross legacy and Cooper's vital role over generations. "George is always looking to make a difference.  As a prominent businessman, philanthropist and ardent advocate for urban education reforms, I can think of no single person or family that has had more of an impact on this community."

"At the end of the day, world-class healthcare is about people first," said Sandra Norcross. "I am proud to be associated with the team at Cooper and the difference they are making in the lives of families and communities here. Their hard work and dedication to providing compassionate patient services is what will truly shape the future of this region's well-being." 

In December 2008, Cooper completed construction of a $250-million, 10-story Patient Pavilion, the largest project in the city's history.  

"Camden and Cooper need these kinds of community champions," said Wendell Pritchett Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden. "You can see the positive impact of these kinds of heroic efforts as they transform the region – neighborhood by neighborhood and person by person."

About Cooper University Hospital

Cooper University Hospital provides comprehensive health services, cutting-edge medical technology and is renowned for its signature programs in cardiology, cancer, critical care, trauma, orthopaedics and neurology.

South Jersey's only Level 1 Trauma Center for lifesaving care, the hospital boasts more than 550 physicians in over 75 specialties. It is the only hospital in South Jersey to receive the Consumer Choice Award by the National Research Corporation five years in a row.  

Since 2005, Cooper has been recognized among the Nation's Top Hospitals with top doctors, top nurses, and best overall quality of care.  Since 1980, Cooper has served as the core clinical teaching facility for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, for third- and fourth-year medical students.  The four-year Cooper Medical School program which won recent accreditation will replace the partnership with UMDNJ.

About Sandra and George Norcross

Sandra and George Norcross are committed supporters of many charitable organizations in the region.  George Norcross is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper Health System and Cooper University Hospital and has served as Trustee since 1990. In 2011, in recognition for his contributions, Norcross received the New Jersey Hospital Association Healthcare System Trustee of the Year Award and the Trustee of the Year Award by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

In 2009, George accepted the Susan G. Komen Beacon of Hope Award on behalf of Cooper University Hospital/Cooper Cancer Institute.  In 2006, Norcross was named Trustee of the Year by the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals.

He also serves as Executive Chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, one of the largest insurance, risk management and employee benefits brokerage and consulting firms in the country.   

Sandra and George have been long-time benefactors of the Larc School in New Jersey, a special education school for children with disabilities.  George serves as Chairman of the Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge, the largest 10K run in the tri-state area and the Larc School's most significant fundraising event. Through the run and other initiatives, Sandra and George have raised millions of dollars for new school programs and operations.

George is a recipient of the Annual Champion of Children's Award and the Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund in recognition of his philanthropic and community leadership.  He also serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee representing the State of New Jersey.

Charitable Partnership – The Norcross Foundation and Conner Strong & Buckelew

The Norcross Family, The Norcross Foundation, and its affiliated entities provide support to over 200 life-changing organizations each year. The Foundation focuses its charitable efforts on improving education for youth, funding research to help cure diseases, supporting the arts and culture, improving the community's safety, and helping people with disabilities. 

Photo Caption:  The Norcrosses present a $1 million check to Cooper University Hospital. (L to R) George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper Health System; Sandy Norcross; Sal Paolantonio, National Correspondent for ESPN and member of the Cooper Foundation Board; Joan S. Davis, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cooper Health System; John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO of the Cooper Health System.

SOURCE Cooper University Hospital