Cooper University Health Care Congratulates Its Partner Cooper Medical School of Rowan University on National Recognition by U.S. News & World Report

Cooper University Health Care (Cooper) proudly congratulates its partner Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), on its recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Medical Schools rankings. Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the core clinical campus for CMSRU and Cooper physicians make up a majority of the medical school's faculty.

For the third consecutive year, CMSRU earned a Tier 2 ranking in Primary Care and a Tier 3 ranking in Research-distinctions that place it among a select group of medical schools nationally demonstrating strong performance in training future physicians and advancing scientific discovery. Notably, CMSRU is the only medical school in New Jersey ranked in Tier 1 or Tier 2 for Primary Care and one of just two institutions in the Philadelphia region to achieve this distinction. As the only public medical school in the region recognized at this level, CMSRU continues to play a leading role in addressing the nation's growing need for primary care physicians.

"The vision behind CMSRU was always to create a top medical school in southern New Jersey rooted in community, service, and excellence," said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper Board of Trustees. "Seeing the school consistently recognized among the nation's best confirms that the vision was correct and the extraordinary collaboration between Rowan and Cooper is what is driving its success."

"I am incredibly proud that CMSRU has once again earned national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report Best Medical Schools rankings," said Annette C. Reboli, MD, dean of CMSRU. "This distinction reflects the outstanding dedication of our faculty, students, and staff, and underscores our mission to educate compassionate physicians who will help meet the critical need for primary care doctors in New Jersey and across the nation."

As a leading academic health system and the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, Cooper University Health Care played a foundational role in the creation of CMSRU, which opened in 2012 on the Cooper Health Sciences campus. Cooper remains deeply integrated in the school's mission and provides clinical training across the health system.

"CMSRU's continued national recognition reflects a shared commitment to excellence in medical education and patient care," said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, Co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care. "Our physicians are proud to serve as faculty, mentors, and researchers, helping to train the next generation of compassionate, highly skilled clinicians who will meet the evolving needs of our communities."

"We applaud the Cooper Medical School's success in creating an extraordinary, mission-driven medical education experience that is among the best in the nation," said Kevin O'Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care. "Together, with our Rowan University partners, we are developing well-trained, talented physicians committed to advancing care throughout our region."

The U.S. News Best Medical Schools rankings are designed to guide prospective students by evaluating factors such as faculty resources, research activity, and student outcomes. Schools designated in Tier 1 or Tier 2 are recognized for exceptional performance and are eligible to display the Best Medical Schools award badge.

As CMSRU continues to expand its impact in both primary care and research, Cooper University Health Care remains committed to advancing its shared mission of education, discovery, and delivering exceptional care to the communities it serves.

About Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, has revenues of more than $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.

Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 2,200 nurses, more than 1,200 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 700 advanced practice providers.

Cooper operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as three hospitals - its 663-bed flagship Cooper University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House, and Children's Regional Hospital in Camden.

Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 trauma center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.

More than 2.54 million patients visit Cooper's facilities annually. Cooper's ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, seven 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 was named one of America's Best Large Employers for 2026 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation. Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.

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