Med School Rising

Coming Soon: The Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Demolition began August 10 at the site of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, a six-story, $100 million facility that will house the first four-year allopathic medical school in New Jersey in more than 30 years.

Donning bright yellow hardhats, Rowan and Cooper officials stood nearby as a construction excavator with grapple tore into the shell of a vacant building at the site.

"This will be a spectacular facility, I promise you that," said Cooper University Hospital President and CEO John P. Sheridan, Jr.

(L to R) Camden Mayor Dana Redd, Dr. Paul Katz, Rowan Board Chairwoman Helene Reed, Cooper CEO John Sheridan, and Rowan President Donald Farish

He and Rowan University President Donald J. Farish marveled at how far the project had come in just over a year since the partnership was announced and how it had already begun to bear fruit.

The founding dean, Dr. Paul Katz, has been hired to help establish the college, and dozens of faculty and staff from Cooper and Rowan are working to establish a curriculum and gain accreditation before the first planned class of students begins in fall 2012.

Demolition and site preparation will continue through August and September and construction of the medical school building is scheduled to begin in October.

"Today we move from an idea to bricks and mortar," Dr. Farish said. "Today represents a moment in time we will all remember - the day construction begins."

Demolition begins.

Farish, Sheridan and other officials noted how the medical school, a huge development for both Cooper and Rowan, may be of even greater significance to Camden and the surrounding communities as it provides opportunities for improved healthcare and as an economic engine for helping rebuild the city.

"Progress is continuing in Camden," Mayor Dana Redd proclaimed. "Let the demolition begin and let's rebuild Camden!"

The medical school will accept some 50 students into its inaugural class and will grow to roughly 400 at full capacity. The building will include classrooms, research laboratories, offices and an auditorium.

"We predict that this school will continue the progress already being made in this neighborhood," Dr. Katz said. "I have been so impressed with the commitment of Cooper and Rowan to this community. We are going to incorporate that dedication into the curriculum for each medical student that passes through our school."