Norcross to Donate $100 Million to Cooper University Health Care/MD Anderson Cancer Center

Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees Executive Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, and the Board of Trustees today announced a transformational $100 million gift from George E. Norcross III.
The gift from Mr. Norcross is being made in honor of the family’s patriarch and matriarch, George E. Norcross Jr. and Anne Carol Conner Norcross, and in recognition of his brothers, John, Donald, and Philip; his children, Alessandra (“Lexie”) and Alexander; and Sandra T. Norcross.

The donation is the largest single philanthropic gift in the institution’s history and one of the largest ever made to a health system in New Jersey. The gift will be directed toward investments in the City of Camden and Cooper’s larger service area in South Jersey, prioritizing education and community programs that create jobs, training, and opportunity.

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Substance Use Disorder Resources Available

Anyone seeking help with addiction, whether struggling personally or helping a loved one, can call 1-844-ReachNJ (1-844-732-2465) to receive immediate support and assistance from live, trained addiction counselors based here in New Jersey. The help line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Naloxone, sometimes referred to by the brand name “Narcan,” can revive people who have lost consciousness due to opioid overdose. New Jerseyans aged 14 and over can obtain naloxone freely and anonymously at participating pharmacies. One two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit will be provided per visit. People who obtain naloxone do not need to provide a name or a reason.

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Cooper University Hospital Recognized for Excellence

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Cooper University Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care. Cooperwas awarded Electrophysiology Accreditation based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the health care team’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who come to the EP lab.

“We are incredibly proud to receive ACC Electrophysiology Accreditation, as it reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of care for patients with complex heart rhythm disorders,” said Andrea M. Russo, MD, director, Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, and member provider, Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care. “This recognition affirms the expertise, collaboration, and dedication of our entire EP program to advancing quality, safety, and innovation at Cooper.”

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Mosquitoes – Always a Nuisance and Sometimes Dangerous

As temperatures rise and mosquito activity increases across New Jersey, health and environmental officials from the New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH), Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and Agriculture (NJDA) are urging residents to take simple steps to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito bites.

“Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. The best defense against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten in the first place and reducing breeding grounds,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner.

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You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years: Here’s What Actually Happens When You Go Back

Image by wavebreakmedia_micro on Magnific

The gap starts small. You miss a cleaning during a busy stretch, then you lose the insurance when you change jobs, then a year passes and calling feels like admitting something. Five years later the appointment you are avoiding is not really about your teeth. It is about the conversation you expect to have when you sit down.

That expected conversation is the main thing keeping people out of the chair, and it is usually worse in imagination than in practice.

Why the Gap Grows on Its Own

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How Much Should You Walk for Weight Loss?

When it comes to shedding pounds, we often picture grueling gym sessions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or exhausting runs. But what if the most sustainable weight-loss tool is already part of your daily routine?

Walking is one of the easiest, most accessible, and highly sustainable ways to lose weight. It doesn’t require a gym membership, specialized gear, or recovery days that leave you too sore to move.

But a burning question remains: Can walking be your only form of exercise and still help you lose weight?

The short answer is yes. In this guide, we will break down exactly how much you need to walk, how pace and intensity affect your progress, what kind of calorie burn to expect, and how to optimize your daily walks to reach your weight-loss goals.

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Hackensack ALS Center Earns National Excellence Recognition

The ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center has been awarded the prestigious designation of an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence™, marking a major milestone for the care of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the region. The certification recognizes the program’s commitment to providing outstanding, multidisciplinary care and its dedication to advancing research in the fight against this devastating disease.

ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control. The disease’s progression can vary, but it relentlessly impacts a person’s ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. While there is no cure for ALS, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment has been shown to improve patients’ quality of life and can extend survival.

The ALS Association’s certification affirms that the ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center meets the highest national standards of care. This model brings together a dedicated team of specialists, including neurologists, palliative care experts, nurses, therapists, and researchers, to provide a seamless and patient-centered experience. This integrated approach ensures that patients and their families receive comprehensive support to navigate the complex challenges of living with ALS.

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Maryann Wardlow Center Named Recipient of Prestigious Aging Achievement Award

The Camden County Board of Commissioners are thrilled to announce that the Maryann Wardlow Center for Community Nutrition received a 2026 Aging Achievement Award from USAging, one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members. The Maryann Wardlow Center for Community Nutrition, which was opened in January of 2025 to improve the efficiency and safety of the Home Delivered Meals Program, was among 33 local aging programs to receive Achievement honors during USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 18–21 in San Diego, CA. An additional 16 agencies received Innovations Awards.

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Health Advisory

Cyclospora is an intestinal illness that can be caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.

The Gloucester County Department of Health reminds residents that thoroughly washing fresh produce under running water can help lower your risk. Be sure to wash your hands, keep fruits and vegetables refrigerated, clean food preparation surfaces, and stay informed about food safety.

Aortic Dissection: 3 Things Everyone Should Know

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death from an aortic dissection has spiked public interest in the condition, with many wondering what it is, who is at risk and whether it can be detected before becoming life-threatening.

“Most people think of aortic dissection as a rare condition, but it’s more common than many realize,” says Joseph Bavaria, MD, Chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Jefferson Health and an international expert on dissection and aortic diseases.

Characterized by a tear in the aortic wall, dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency. It develops suddenly and often without warning, although the underlying aortic disease or weakness that increases the risk of dissection may have been present for years.