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Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper Honors Pediatric Leaders, Raises More Than $125,000 for Children’s Health Care Programs
CAMDEN, NJ — The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper and The Cooper Foundation of Cooper University Health Care on July 28, 2014, honored two esteemed South Jersey leaders in pediatric medicine and raised more than $125,000 to benefit children’s health care programs.
“The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper offers expert clinical staff and advanced medical technology designed to diagnose and treat the most complex pediatric diseases,” said George E. Norcross III, Chairman of The Cooper Board of Trustees. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper will continue to provide world class care in South Jersey and throughout the region.”
Honorees April Douglass-Bright, MD, and Michelle Basile, RNC-NIC, MA, CCRN, CBC, were recognized for their dedication to providing excellence in pediatric care to children across South Jersey.
“Through the leadership and mentorship of individuals like Dr. Bright and Ms. Basile, Cooper continues to distinguish itself as the only state-recognized acute-care children’s hospital, offering the most comprehensive pediatric program in South Jersey,” said Michael Goodman, MD, chief of pediatrics at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper.
More than 200people attended the special evening reception, which was held at Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill. Proceeds will benefit The Children’s Regional Hospital and four of its special programs: Cooper Learning Center, Child Life Program, Child Abuse Prevention and Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
“We celebrate Dr. Bright and Ms. Basile, and thank our generous supporters for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of our littlest patients,” said Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation.
Dr. Bright is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and serves as Division Head of General Pediatrics at Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper.
Dr. Bright received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. After completing her Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, she was offered a position with Cooper in 1994. She has been recognized in numerous publications including Philadelphia, South Jersey and SJ magazines, and has been the recipient of several teaching honors.
“I absolutely love the interaction with my patients and families and I enjoy helping make decisions that guide the future and contribute to the success of Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper,” Dr. Bright said.
Michelle Basile has served in Cooper’s Level IV Newborn Intensive Care Unit since May of 1983. Currently, Ms. Basile serves as staff nurse in the NICU. She also is a Clinical Nurse Preceptor, mentoring student and staff RNs, and has served as Interim Associate Clinical Manager for the NICU and Transitional Unit.
Ms. Basile received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Catholic University of America in Washington DC, and her Master of Arts in Nursing from New York University. She served in the oncology unit at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center in New York City early in her career and later spent five years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before coming to Cooper. Ms. Basile has received multiple professional recognitions and awards and speaks and writes frequently for professional groups and publications.
“As a practitioner taking care of newborns, I am right there at the being of their life. They have no history. The infant and family are writing their own story,” Ms. Basile explained. “It is exciting to care for infants and their families and to help them adapt to their new norm.”
The Tribute Event was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Cherry Hill and The Cooper Women’s Board and included a special presentation, raffle prizes, a silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The event co-chairs were Dr. Michael Goodman, Chief of Pediatrics; Dr. William Sharrar, Chief Emeritus of Pediatrics; Robyn Harvey, RN, MBA, Executive Director, Women’s & Children’s Institute; Michael Hartung, Trustee of The Cooper Foundation and Owner of Mercedes-Benz of Cherry Hill, and Anne E. Koons, Trustee of The Cooper Foundation and Realtor of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox and Roach.