Governor Announces a New Four Year Medical School in Camden

Camden, NJ (June 26, 2009)— Rowan University and Cooper University Hospital announced today that they are partnering in the formation of a new, four-year allopathic medical school in Camden, NJ which will be known as Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. 

“This is a major milestone for Cooper, Rowan University, the City of Camden and the entire South Jersey region.  This partnership unites two dynamic institutions that are financially strong and culturally and geographically aligned,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board at Cooper. 

“We are grateful to Governor Jon S. Corzine for recognizing the tremendous healthcare, academic and economic benefits that this partnership will bring to the region and for reallocating existing resources to make it happen,” said Donald Farish, Ph.D., Rowan University President. 

The new medical school will be the first four year allopathic medical school in South Jersey.  Currently, Cooper provides clinical training to third and fourth year medical students from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Independent studies by both Cooper and UMDNJ concluded that there is a significant need for a four year medical school in South Jersey, and that Cooper and its medical faculty are well prepared to meet that need.  “We are appreciative of our 30 year relationship with UMDNJ. This affiliation has positioned Cooper for the endeavor announced today,” added John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO of Cooper.

The newly-established Cooper Medical School of Rowan University will be financed by existing annual allocations to the Camden Campus and will not require any additional taxpayer dollars. Construction of a medical school building is planned for the southwest corner of Broadway and Benson Streets.

Rowan University, a selective, public university located in Glassboro, N.J., is renowned for its science and technology facilities and programs.  With the addition of this new medical school, Rowan University joins UMDNJ in becoming the only public universities in the State of New Jersey to offer medical education.

“This is a significant expansion of our graduate programs and we are proud to be aligned with Cooper on this exciting endeavor,” said Farish.  “Our existing programs will dovetail with a medical school curriculum and provide for future expansion of our science, technology and allied health degrees.”

Joan Davis, Vice Chair of Cooper’s Board and a resident of Camden said, “This medical school will be a catalyst for the redevelopment of the City of Camden which will spawn many employment opportunities for our citizens.”

The new medical school is part of a $600 million expansion of Cooper’s Health Sciences Campus in Camden. In December 2008, Cooper completed the largest single construction project in the city in more than 30 years with the opening of a 10-story patient Pavilion. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently opened a Community Based Outpatient Clinic at Broadway and Stevens Street.  Planning is also in progress for the construction of a $75 million Cooper Cancer Institute, and neighborhood parks and streetscape improvement project is currently underway. The Health Sciences Campus also includes the Coriell Institute for Medical Research.

Rowan University recently acquired the First Camden National Bank & Trust building located on the corner of Cooper Street and Broadway. The University plans to increase enrollment at its Camden Campus from 500 to 1,500 students; expand academic programs, particularly urban education; develop a more expansive relationship with Camden County College to expedite graduation for those students who transfer to Rowan; develop partnerships with area businesses and institutions; and draw more traditional-aged undergraduate and graduate students to the city. This year marks Rowan’s 40th anniversary in the city.

Please learn more by visiting the following links:

http://www.rowan.edu/medschool
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OULwWqn1lM