Cooper University Health Care and Drexel University announced a strategic collaboration designed to transform the nursing pipeline in the Mid-Atlantic region. The partnership, aimed at addressing the national nursing shortage, will create a seamless “Bridge to Practice” for students while providing significant educational incentives for current health care workers.
The initiative combines Drexel’s academic rigor with Cooper’s status as a leading academic health system, offering an immersive model that connects the classroom directly to the hospital floor.
At the heart of the agreement is an experiential learning framework designed specifically for Drexel’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students. This model provides early exposure to high-demand specialty environments, including:
- Women’s Health and Pediatrics
- Level 1 Trauma Care
- Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
This early immersion is intended to reduce the “transition shock” many new nurses face, ensuring they are workforce-ready upon graduation.
Beginning in September 2026, Cooper’s nearly 14,000 team members—and their immediate families—will gain expanded access to over 25 of Drexel’s accredited nursing programs. The partnership includes increased tuition discounts for undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificate programs.
“I realize that things are changing in healthcare so quickly that I wanted to be a part of the change,” Tim Marks, assistant vice president at Cooper and a Drexel alumnus said. “I am proud of the partnerships I have developed because that’s going to help nurses prepare for the future.”
The collaboration extends beyond basic enrollment. Drexel and Cooper will launch joint research initiatives focused on clinical outcomes, nursing innovation, and new models of care delivery.
“Workforce challenges will not be solved by enrollment alone,” Kymberlee Montgomery, chief nurse academic officer at Drexel said. “The Drexel-Cooper Health collaboration allows us to redesign pathways that connect education, practice, and mentorship.”
For Cooper University Health Care—recently named one of Forbes’ Best Large Employers for 2026—the partnership secures a steady stream of highly trained talent for its expanding network. With more than 2.4 million patient visits annually across its hospitals in Camden and Cape May Court House, the health system remains the primary regional provider for critical care.
