Cooper Health Gets New National Accreditation For Weight-Loss Care

CAMDEN, NJ — The team at Cooper University Health Care earned a new national recognition.

Cooper secured the "Comprehensive Center with Adolescent Accreditation" through the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

The team was honored for its commitment to delivering high-quality, multidisciplinary care for bariatric surgery patients undergoing treatments for obesity and obesity-related conditions.

These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

"I'm reminded of a patient who had struggled for years with obesity-related medical issues," Rohit A. Patel, MD FACS, Head, Division of Bariatric Surgery, told Patch. "What stood out most wasn't just the weight loss, it was their renewed confidence and engagement with life. They shared that for the first time in years, they were able to ride a bike alongside their family."

In order to qualify for the three-year accreditation, Cooper had to undergo a comprehensive site review that assessed surgical standards, clinical protocols, and their patient-centered care model.

"Patients don't have to navigate obesity alone," said Patel. "High-quality, evidence-based care is available locally."

Under Cooper's program, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons, specialized clinical staff, nutrition counselors, behavioral health support, and long-term care are all woven together to create an individually-tailored approach to weight-loss.

For Patel, it's the team environment at Cooper that makes it all possible, one that doesn't go unnoticed by those who they treat.

"Patients consistently tell us that what made the difference was the team-based support, accountability, and continuity of care they received throughout their journey," said Patel.

Cooper University Health Care is affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and is made up of around 14,000 staff members.

Along with MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, the system operates three hospitals and more than 130 other sites.

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