Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University Announce Academic–Clinical Partnership to Strengthen Nursing Workforce in Southern New Jersey

Cape May Court House, NJ / Galloway, NJ - Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a formal academic-clinical collaboration designed to expand educational opportunities and help meet the growing demand for a highly skilled nursing workforce in southern New Jersey.

"As the leading academic health system in the region, educating the next generation of medical professionals is an integral part of our mission," said George E. Norcross III, chairman of Cooper University Health Care. "Partnering with Stockton University, we are investing in the future of nursing and the health care workforce in the Jersey shore communities we serve."

"At Stockton, our mission is rooted in service to our region," said Stockton University President Joe Bertolino, EdD. "This partnership with Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional strengthens that commitment by opening doors for aspiring and current health care professionals while directly supporting the health and well-being of our local communities."

The agreement creates new pathways for all eligible Cooper University Health Care team members at all locations to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stockton University, including a 20% tuition discount per credit. The academic partnership is focused on workforce development, career advancement, and long-term recruitment and retention of nursing professionals in the region.

"This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to investing in our workforce and ensuring high-quality patient care for the communities we serve," said Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing executive for Cooper University Health Care. "By making advanced education more accessible and affordable, we are strengthening both our team members and the future of health care in Cape May County and southern New Jersey."

"We are proud to partner and support the education and advancement of nurses and health care professionals for our region," said Michael Palladino, PhD, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Stockton University. "This agreement aligns our academic mission with South Jersey's critical workforce needs while expanding access to high-quality nursing education."

"Creating clear pathways for professional growth helps ensure we continue to deliver exceptional care while developing the next generation of nursing leaders," said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.

"We are very proud to partner with Stockton University to strengthen health care in the shore region. The driving force behind this new partnership is our common desire to increase the number of well-trained nurses who will provide care for local residents," said Kevin O'Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care.

The MOU formalizes cooperation between the two institutions across education, clinical practice, and workforce development. In addition to tuition discounts, the agreement allows Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University to explore the development of new or customized certificates and graduate programs aligned with evolving workforce needs. Stockton University will also engage with Cape Regional through career services and recruitment initiatives.

"At Stockton, we are committed to providing our nursing students with hands-on, high-quality learning experiences," said Jacqueline Arnone, PhD, PMHNP-BC, chief nurse administrator and associate professor of Nursing at Stockton University. "Collaborating with Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional strengthens those opportunities and supports our shared goal of developing confident, practice-ready nurses."

Stockton offers multiple health care degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Students gain experience with dedicated faculty in a variety of health care settings, including state-of-the-art clinical simulation and assessment labs and at clinical institutions, agencies, and sites throughout the region and state.

Participants must meet Stockton University's standard admission requirements and are responsible for applicable fees in addition to tuition. Cooper University Health Care also provides tuition reimbursement for eligible employees, reinforcing its commitment to professional development and workforce advancement.

Together, Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University aim to build a strong and sustainable pipeline of nursing professionals prepared to serve southern New Jersey now and into the future.

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 $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.

Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 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.

About Stockton University

Stockton University is ranked among the top public universities in the nation. Our nearly 9,000 students can choose to live and learn on the 1,600-acre wooded main campus in the Pinelands National Reserve in South Jersey and at our coastal residential campus just steps from the beach and Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The university offers more than 160 undergraduate and graduate programs. Learn more at stockton.edu.

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