Cooper University Health Care Awarded $500,000 Federal Grant to Strengthen Special Pathogen Preparedness

Cooper University Health Care has been selected as a recipient of the Special Pathogen Treatment, Assessment, and Network Development (STAND) Award, a $500,000 grant from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC). The funding will further enhance Cooper's capabilities as a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center (SPTC), strengthening its role within the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS).

The NSPS is a nationally coordinated to ensure safe, high-quality care for patients during outbreaks of high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). As a Level 2 SPTC, Cooper University Health Care plays a critical role in regional and national readiness efforts, providing advanced assessment, treatment, and coordination during public health emergencies.

"This recognition reflects Cooper's long-standing commitment to preparedness and protecting patients, caregivers, and the community," said Simon Sarkisian, DO, MS, FAAEM, medical director of Disaster Medicine at Cooper University Health Care. "The STAND Award strengthens our ability to integrate evidence-based practices, train our teams, and maintain the systems needed to safely care for patients during high-consequence infectious disease events."

Cooper was selected through a highly competitive national review process, making it one of only 54 hospitals nationwide chosen to receive the designation, which recognizes hospitals and health systems that demonstrate exceptional leadership and readiness in special pathogen preparedness. The STAND Award will support continued advancement of Cooper's emergency preparedness infrastructure, including specialized staff training, equipment enhancements, and the development of systems and protocols to safely care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases.

Throughout the award period, NETEC, in collaboration with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs), will provide ongoing technical assistance, training, and verification support to ensure Cooper continues to meet and exceed Level 2 SPTC standards.

This investment builds on Cooper University Health Care's long-standing commitment to public health readiness, academic medicine, and protecting the communities it serves during emerging infectious disease threats.

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 Global and Fitch Ratings.

Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 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 also 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 2.4 million patients visit Cooper's facilities annually. 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 was named one of America's Best Large Employers for 2025 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation.

Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.

About NETEC

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) is the nation's leader in special pathogen preparedness and response. Established in 2015 and funded by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), NETEC is led by a consortium of Emory University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, in partnership with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center network. As the Coordinating Body for the National Special Pathogen System, NETEC advances national health security through training, assessments, consultative services, research, and evidence-based best practices.

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