George E. Norcross III

Cooper University Hospital will send a medical team to Haiti in a mission funded by South Jersey political leader George Norcross’ charitable foundation.  The mission will be headed by Anthony Mazzarelli, M.D., the Director of Emergency Medicine at Cooper.

“We are proud to be able to respond to this devastation by providing transportation for the medical team to Haiti so that they can address the critical needs of the hundreds of thousands now reported to be injured,” said Norcross, III, who is the Cooper chairman.

Two Cooper nurses have already been deployed as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operation.  The rest of the medical team will go to Haiti within the next few days.

“Cooper’s credo since it opened its doors has always been to serve those in need,” said hospital president John P. Sheridan, Jr. “This medical mission is in perfect alignment with the philosophy that has guided Cooper for more than a century.”

“Haiti already had a significant need of medical resources before the earthquake hit,” said Mazzarelli.  “The earthquake has now increased that need exponentially. We are in contact with the rescue teams on the ground who are assessing the specific medical needs and safety concerns for relief personnel trying to deploy.”