Cooper University Health Care Honors Jim Baca and Samantha Millspaugh as Armed Forces Person of the Year honorees for 2024

(Camden and Cape May, NJ) - Cooper University Health Care is proud to announce that Jim Baca and Samantha Millspaugh have been named the Armed Forces Persons of the Year 2024 for their exemplary contributions to both their military service and their impactful roles within the Cooper community.

Former Hospital Corpsman Jim Baca, of Mullica Hill, NJ, served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1990, and is senior operations director for the joint Cooper University Health Care/Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Simulation and Clinical Education Center in Camden. His dedication to advancing clinical training, coupled with his leadership rooted in military discipline and strategic planning, has significantly enhanced Cooper's educational and training programs. Baca also serves part time as a paramedic with Cooper's Emergency Medical Services.

Former Petty Officer 2^nd Class Samantha Millspaugh, MS, CCC-SLP, of Cape May Court House, NJ, a speech and language pathologist at Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1993 to 2000. Her time in the military shaped her approach to patient care, emphasizing resilience, teamwork, communication, and unwavering support for others. Millspaugh's contributions to the Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional community and her patients are distinguished by her compassionate approach and tireless dedication.

"We are immensely proud of Jim and Samantha, Cooper's Armed Forces Persons of the Year for 2024. Their unmatched professionalism and exceptional talent exemplify the highest standards of service," said Kevin O'Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.

"On this Veterans Day, it is both an honor and a privilege to celebrate Jim and Samantha's achievements and to extend our deepest appreciation to all Cooper team members who have served our country, whether in the past or present," added Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.

"I am continually inspired by the dedication and courage of Jim, Samantha, and all Cooper team members who have served both our nation and our community. Their commitment reflects the core values we uphold at Cooper, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions today," said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care.

The Cooper Armed Services Person of the Year Award was established in 2018 and is presented near Veterans Day each year. The award recognizes a Cooper team member who is nominated by their colleagues and who has made outstanding contributions to the health system, the community, and the nation in support of Cooper's mission: To serve, to heal, to educate.

This recognition highlights Cooper's commitment to supporting the United States Military and veterans by celebrating our team members' military service as well as their contributions to health care and community service. Earlier this week, Cooper was recognized by the New Jersey Governor's Department of Veterans Affairs with the "We Value Our Veterans" Employer Award for its commitment to veterans' causes and support of veterans.

About Cooper University Health Care

Cooper University Health Care, with its MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and affiliation with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is a leading academic health system. Cooper has more than 11,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians, and more than 550 advanced practice providers.

Cooper University Hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.

Cooper has revenues of more than $2 billion and, along with its new upgraded "A" rating from S&P, recently received an A+ credit rating from Fitch Ratings. Cooper University Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. More than two million patients are served annually at Cooper's 663-bed flagship hospital in Camden and the 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House.

Cooper's ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, several urgent care centers, a wound care center, and more than 130 physician, physical therapy and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore. Cooper has been named as one of America's Best Employers by Forbes for four consecutive years.

The Cooper Health Sciences campus in Camden, New Jersey, is home to Cooper University Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Children's Regional Hospital at Cooper, and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.

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