Interview: Kevin O’Dowd, Co-CEO

Kevin O’Dowd

Co-CEO Cooper University Health Care

What is the state of the healthcare market in South Jersey?

The state of healthcare in South Jersey is very strong, which we believe is an outcome of the close collaboration among the southern New Jersey health systems during the pandemic. The South Jersey healthcare market continues to be one of the most competitive in the region. Our goal is to ensure that Cooper continues to distinguish itself as the leading academic health system in the region with nationally and internationally recognized doctors, advanced care and a spectrum of programs and services to meet the complex needs of the community.

How is Cooper helping to make healthcare more affordable?

There are a number of complex historical and structural issues that cause healthcare costs to continue to rise. With national healthcare expenditures estimated to reach $6.2 trillion by 2028, there continues to be a priority focus on providing healthcare services that are both fiscally responsible and provide high levels of quality, effectiveness and equity.

We believe individuals should be focused on staying well rather than how they will be able to afford healthcare if they get sick. That is why we are honored that Cooper is represented on Gov. Murphy’s Health Care Affordability Advisory Group to combat the unsustainable rate of growth of healthcare costs in the state. Everyone is concerned about healthcare costs because even those fortunate enough to have health coverage through their employment continue to see a significant and growing percentage of their paychecks going to pay for healthcare premiums and deductibles even before they access any healthcare services.

For Cooper, our strategy is to remain the lowest cost academic tertiary care health system in the region. That means keeping a close eye on expenses and seeking innovative ways to make care affordable. management phase, the South Jersey Transportation Authority has already committed $200 million toward the next phase of the project. With a vision that includes creating 14 new train stations, while increasing connectivity with PATCO lines and other mobility options, the Glassboro-Camden Line is a hat trick infrastructure, sustainability and economic development victory not only for Camden County but for the Garden State overall while also serving as a vehicle for cementing affordability in the local market as it continues to grow.

Equally as important to the region’s economic recovery is the Port of Camden. Situated on the eastern bank of the Delaware River between Camden and Gloucester counties, the port is one of the busiest on the East Coast, bringing commodities such as Cocoa Beans, plywood and fruit from around the world. The port has been instrumental in keeping several industries afloat in the face of the pandemic.

Overall cargo operations were up through the first half of 2021 and the port is projected to surpass 2019 overall cargo levels by year’s end, South Jersey Port Corporation Executive Director and CEO Andrew Saporito told Invest:. “Steel is up 50%, plywood is up 47% and cocoa is up 75%. But while cargo is surging to pre-pandemic levels, demand for products like slag, which is used in cement mixing, is recovering at a slower rate because many of the big construction projects were either delayed or stopped during the pandemic. Those are picking up again with all the money expected to come in from President Biden’s new infrastructure initiatives. This year, we expect to surpass the overall cargo levels we saw in 2019,” Saporito said.

As it relates to quality of life improvements via infrastructure, the county and its municipalities are keen on delivering on the 10-Minute Walk promise of ensuring residents have access to high-quality open spaces within a 10-minute walk of their homes by 2050. An effort that began in 2018 based on a national movement, the city of Camden, with support of the county and local stakeholders, unveiled its first ever Parks and Open Space Plan in December 2020. With objectives that range from the creation of safe recreational spaces, expansion and maintenance of park amenities with a keen focus on community programs, Camden anticipates approximately $25 million on investments earmarked for its park system over the next five years.

Residential Camden County’s commitments to infrastructure improvements bode well for its residential and commercial real estate growth in a post-COVID future. On the residential front, Camden County offers levels of