Our People of the Century Paul Cooper: Vision Led to Efficient County Health Care

Although Paul Cooper retired last June as CEO of South Jersey Health System, he is often referred to as an architect. The architect, actually, who designed the health system conglomerate that encompasses hospitals in Millville, Elmer, Bridgeton and Vineland.

Cooper joined Bridgeton Hospital 36 years ago as a credit manager. Through the years, he as promoted to purchasing agent, assistant administrator, associate administrator and eventually president and CEO in 1985.

“I don’t believe in beating around the bush with anything,” he said in an interview a few days before he retired. “If something needs fixing, just fix it. Operate like you own it. If you do that, you’re going to be okay.” First to merge were Millville and Bridgeton hospitals about a dozen years ago. Then, Elmer joined the group. And finally Newcomb Medical Center.

Cooper was at the helm through it all.

“I don’t see how the four sites could have made it on their own,” Cooper said in April.

The mergers have saved millions of dollars in the face of pressure from insurance companies and government agencies to reduce patients’ hospital stays.

“He is a visionary – the person who got us to where we are today,” said Elizabeth Miller, a long-time member of the South Jersey Hospital Board of Trustees. “And a pleasant man to work with.”