Cooper University Health Care Honors Outstanding Nurses with 2026 Nursing Excellence Awards

"Nurse of the Year" recipients recognized at Cooper University Hospital and Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional

(CAMDEN and CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ) - Cooper University Health Care is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Nursing Excellence Awards, honoring nurses and interprofessional team members for their expertise, compassion, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to patients, colleagues, and the communities they serve.

Jamie Slemmon, BSN, RN, Pavilion 5, Cooper University Hospital in Camden, received the William A. Schwartz, Jr. Nurse of the Year Award for Cooper University Hospital, named in honor of the late William A. Schwartz, a long-time member of Cooper's Board of Trustees who was deeply committed to supporting nurses and advancing patient care.

Stacey Simmerman, MSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Department, Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Nurse of the Year Award for Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional, recognizing excellence in clinical care, leadership, and dedication to patients and colleagues. This award was made possible through the generous proceeds of the annual 5K Run for Nurses, hosted by Sea Isle City's well-known Dalrymple's Card & Gift Shoppe. All proceeds from the run benefit frontline nurses through donations to the Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional Foundation.

In addition to the Nurse of the Year Awards, both honorees were also recognized for nursing excellence in addition categories. Recognizing the importance of teamwork in health care, Cooper also honors an outstanding team each year. In 2026, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Cooper University Hospital in Camden was named Team of the Year.

These awards and others were announced during Cooper's Annual Nursing Excellence Awards reception held on May 12, 2026. The Awards celebration is held during National Nurses Week (May 6-12), to honor the extraordinary contributions of nurses and the collaborative teams that support them across the health system.

"Being a nurse is both incredibly demanding and profoundly meaningful. At Cooper, our nurses meet that challenge with exceptional skill, compassion, and resilience, delivering care that changes lives every day," said Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Cooper. "This year's award recipients exemplify what it means to be a Cooper nurse. They lead with expertise, support one another, and remain deeply committed to the patients and communities we serve. I want to offer special congratulations to Jamie Slemmon and Stacey Simmerman on being named Nurses of the Year. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions."

"With unwavering dedication and compassion, Cooper nurses continue to set the highest standards in patient care. For generations, Cooper has been deeply committed to serving our community, and our nurses are at the heart of that mission providing exceptional care, comfort, and hope when it is needed most. During Nurses Week, we celebrate their significant impact on our patients, our community, and the culture of excellence they uphold every day," said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper Board of Trustees.

"Our nurses and care teams represent the very best of Cooper. Their skill, collaboration, and commitment to delivering exceptional care make a difference in the lives of patients and families every day," said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper.

"As the son of a nurse, I understand the dedication and compassion they bring to their service to others. The Nursing Excellence Awards are an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary work and the vital role nurses play across our health system," said Kevin M. O'Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper.

Award recipients were nominated by their colleagues for their commitment to upholding Cooper's mission: "To serve, to heal, to educate," and are supported by generous gifts from donors to The Cooper Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cooper University Health Care. These gifts help advance the professional development of nurses and support programs that recognize excellence in patient care.

"Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our donors, these awards continue to highlight the exceptional contributions of Cooper's nurses. Their support allows us to honor these caregivers in a meaningful way while investing in the future of nursing at Cooper," said Philip A. Norcross, Esq., chairman of The Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees.

The 2026 Nursing Excellence Award Recipients are:

Dawn Ablett, RN, Two East, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

Alyssa Bakley, BSN, RN, Progressive Care Unit, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Progressive Care Nursing.

Ellen Boales, BSN, RNC-HRO, Labor and Delivery, Cooper Camden, received the Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Nurse Leadership.

Vincent Cucunato, BSN, RN, Cardiac Cath Lab, Cooper Camden, received the Cooper Heart Institute and The Heart House Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Nursing.

Brienne Definis, BSN, RN, Med-Surg Trauma, Cooper Camden, received the Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Self Care and Wellness.

Mary Jane Durkin, MSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Education, Cooper Camden, received the Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Research.

Paige Fearon, BSN, RN, TCRN, Trauma Surgical ICU, Cooper Camden, received the Award for Excellence in Trauma Nursing.

Kyla Fellon, BSN, RN, Pavilion 5, Cooper Camden, received the Rose Smith and Sue Zamitis Memorial Award for Excellence in Inpatient Oncology Nursing.

Brittany Flanders, BSN, RN, Trauma Step Down Unit, Cooper Camden, received the Shaina Horton Memorial Award for Excellence in Service.

Sharice Gerber, MSN, APN, AOCNP , Radiation Oncology, Cooper Camden, received the Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing.

Jamie Healy, BSN, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, received the Franklin Morse Archer, Jr., and Mary Joy Reeve Archer Memorial Award for Excellence in Outpatient Oncology Nursing.

Andrew Introcaso, BSN, RN, Emergency Department, Cooper Camden, received the Lynn Nelson Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing.

Alyssa Kostiuk, BSN, RN, Labor and Delivery, Cooper Camden, received the Charlotte Tobiason Memorial Award for Excellence in Obstetrical Nursing.

Stephanie Lewis, RN, Critical Care, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing.

Jennifer Lim, MSN, RN, Surgical Services, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.

Bianca Mattia, BSN, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, received the Women's Board Committee of The Cooper Foundation Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Nursing.

Doreen Morales, BSN, RN, CNOR, Operating Room, Cooper Camden, received the Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.

Alyssa Player, BSN, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cooper Camden, received the Dr. Ronald Bernardin Memorial Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing.

Colleen Radtke, MSN, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cooper Camden, received the John Henry Kronenberger Memorial Award for Excellence in Neonatal Nursing.

Kathryn Reifsnyder, BSN, RN, CGRN, Cooper Digestive Health Institute, received the Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Procedural Nursing.

Samantha Roshkoff, BSN, RN, Coronary Care Unit, Cooper Camden, received the Lori Osinski Rising Star Award.

Stacey Simmerman, MSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Department, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing.

Jamie Slemmon, BSN, RN, Pavilion 5, Cooper Camden, received the Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Mentorship.

Noah Tamaska, BSN, RN, Kelemen 9, Cooper Camden, received the Selma and Martin Hirsch Award for Excellence in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

Mikaela Wright, BSN, RN, Kelemen 9, Cooper Camden, received the Ruth Parry/Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Geriatric Nursing.

Candace Yates, BSN, RN, Patient Care Services Pool, Cooper Camden, received the Carol G. Tracey Compassion Award.

Kacey Zorzi, BSN, RN, Intensive Care Unit, Cooper Camden, received the William and Eileen Archer Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing.

Danielle Behrens, DO, Hematology/Oncology, Cooper Camden, received the Nursing Alumni Excellence Award for Nursing-Physician Partnership.

Matthew Caverow, PT, DPT, Physical Therapy, Cooper Camden, received the Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Service (Non-Nursing).

Lisa McLaughlin, LCSW, MSW, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, received the Women's Board Committee of the Cooper Foundation Professional Excellence Award (Non-Nursing).

Joseph Martinelli, Patient Care Services Pool, Cooper Camden, received the Miss Donna Glover Memorial Award.

Andres Pelaez, Patient Care Technician, Cooper Cape, received the Charles and Barbara Dalrymple Award for Excellence in Service (Non-Nursing).

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cooper Camden, received the Outstanding Team Award.

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 $3 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.

Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including more than 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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