Bringing National Expertise to Camden: Cooper Hosts First-in-New Jersey Ventilator Training Program

Mechanical ventilation is a cornerstone of critical care-but how clinicians are trained to use it can vary widely from one institution to another. Cooper Critical Care has sought to address this need over the past decade through a longitudinal mechanical ventilation curriculum taught by Emily Damuth, MD, and Jason Bartock, MD. The opportunity to extend education excellence is the reason Cooper University Health Care is partnering with Cleveland Clinic to bring a groundbreaking educational program to South Jersey.

On May 17-18, Cooper will host the Standardized Education for Ventilatory Assistance (SEVA) course, the first time this nationally recognized program will be offered in New Jersey.

SEVA is designed to create a consistent, evidence-based approach to mechanical ventilation, helping physicians, advanced practice providers, and respiratory therapists speak the same "language" when caring for critically ill patients. By standardizing training, programs like SEVA aim to improve patient outcomes, enhance team communication, and reduce variability in care.

"This is about raising the bar for how we care for some of our most vulnerable patients," said Dr. Bartock, who is leading the initiative at Cooper. "By partnering with Cleveland Clinic and bringing SEVA to our region, we're helping ensure that clinicians across disciplines are aligned in delivering the highest level of care."

The two-day course will feature expert faculty from Cleveland Clinic working alongside Cooper's critical care team in an interactive, hands-on learning environment. The program is open to medical professionals responsible for implementing ventilator management, such as faculty in critical care medicine, trainees in critical care medicine, advanced practice providers, and respiratory therapists.

This collaboration builds on Cooper's growing role as a global leader in critical care education. In addition to bringing SEVA to New Jersey, members of Cooper's team have already helped deliver this training internationally, including recent programs in Africa.

By hosting SEVA, Cooper continues to expand its impact-advancing education, strengthening clinical expertise, and improving care for patients across the region. The current course is sold out but will be offered bi-annually to learners who are interested. For more information for the next course, email [email protected].