Cooper University Health Care has begun the first phase of its $3 billion “Project Imagine” expansion, which will significantly enhance its Health Sciences Campus in Camden, New Jersey.

The project, the largest building investment in Camden County’s history, aims to expand patient care capacity, improve emergency preparedness, and support medical education and research.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Jan. 28, attended by Cooper board chairman George Norcross III, co-CEOs Kevin O’Dowd and Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, and several state officials, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and four former governors. Television personality Kelly Ripa, a longtime supporter of Cooper, also participated in the event.

"Cooper’s investment of $3 billion for its future growth will be a transformative investment in the future of Camden and South Jersey," Norcross said. "This project reinforces Cooper’s long-standing commitment to delivering extraordinary health care, driving economic growth, and creating new opportunities for the people of the City of Camden and the region."

The expansion, first announced in 2022, is designed to address increasing demand at Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. The plan includes three new patient towers, expanded surgical and emergency services, and a regional medical coordination center.

First phase: 10-story hospital tower
The initial phase involves constructing a 10-story, 345,000-square-foot hospital tower at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Haddon Avenue, across from the cancer center. The building will be connected to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper via a pedestrian bridge and is expected to be completed by 2028.

The new tower, referred to as "Tower A," will include 125 private, acuity-adaptable rooms, expanded women’s health services, additional operating rooms, and spaces for education and research. It will also house a medical command center to enhance emergency preparedness. Approximately $170 million in state grants, allocated for Level 1 trauma centers following the COVID-19 pandemic, will support the project.

“This project will also empower Cooper’s dedicated, expert physicians, nurses, and health care professionals to provide patients with the highest quality of care in facilities that match their skills,” Mazzarelli said.

Economic impact and community engagement
The expansion is expected to generate thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions in healthcare and related fields. Cooper is working with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and construction managers Torcon Inc. and P. Agnes Inc. to provide Camden residents with job training opportunities.

As Camden’s largest employer, Cooper has played a significant role in the city's revitalization. Its efforts include enhancing emergency medical services, supporting youth sports programs, and offering job training programs for residents.

With more than 11,000 employees, Cooper University Health Care continues to expand its regional presence. It has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for four consecutive years.

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