A very busy week continues here in Jerseyland — let’s get right to it.
On Wednesday, Cooper University Health Care announced that the system officially had a new name: Cooper Norcross Health.
The new name honors South Jersey businessman, powerbroker, and Cooper Board of Trustees Chairman George Norcross, III and the Norcross family following a $100 million gift (the largest in the health system’s history) earlier this summer — as well as the Norcross family’s more than 50 years of dedication and leadership to Cooper.
In a note on its website, Cooper noted that the Board of Trustees had voted to change the name.
“Though our name has changed, our commitment and mission remain the same: to serve, to heal, to educate,” the health system wrote on its website. “We remain an elite academic health system committed to providing advanced, compassionate care and an exceptional health care experience for our patients and their families.
“Nothing else has changed. Cooper Norcross Health remains a not-for-profit health system with no shareholders, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, committed to the communities we serve.”
In July, Norcross donated the $100 million gift in honor of the family’s patriarch and matriarch, George Norcross Jr. and Anne Carol Conner Norcross, and in recognition of his brothers, John, Donald, and Philip; his children, Lexie and Alexander; and Sandra Norcross.
In that press release, Cooper said the gift will be directed toward investments in the City of Camden and Cooper’s larger service area in South Jersey, prioritizing education and community programs that create jobs, training, and opportunity. The Norcross family has dedicated more than 50 years of service and leadership to Cooper, beginning with Norcross’s father. And in that announcement, Cooper had said it planned to add the Norcross name to the health system — and that has now officially taken effect.
“For more than 50 years, our family has been dedicated to Cooper, and we are so proud to make this contribution to ensure that Cooper and the thousands of talented, committed professionals who make a difference every day for the people of Camden and South Jersey can continue the important work of investing in their future and in Camden’s continued renaissance,” said Norcross in that July 28 announcement.
This news comes on the heels of Cooper Foundation, co-founded by George and Philip Norcross, raising $4 million at the 16th Annual Cooper Red Hot Gala to support the health system. During that event, Cooper unveiled new renderings of the patient tower taking shape on its Camden campus, a cornerstone of the $3 billion Project Imagine, a major Cooper project aimed at transforming health care in the city and region.
News Roundup
As Jerseyland reported Wednesday, the NJBIA’s Women Business Leaders Forum opened in Atlantic City with a major announcement on childcare: the launch of the New Jersey Business Council for Childcare, bringing together business organizations and employers to address childcare as a workforce and economic issue.
The two-day forum, featuring more than 70 speakers and panelists, continues today at Bally’s Atlantic City, with additional leadership, workforce and professional-development programming.
NJ business leaders launch new childcare coalition
A major announcement as the NJBIA’s Women Business Leaders Forum kicked off in Atlantic City: New Jersey’s business community is coming together around childcare as a workforce and economic issue.
The Rutgers University Office for Research has released its 2026 Research and Innovation Annual Impact Report, highlighting the breadth of research happening across the university and its growing impact beyond the lab.
Rutgers received more than $923 million in research grants and sponsored programs in fiscal year 2026, with 3,821 research awards and 1,498 researchers receiving awards.
The report spans fields from life sciences and engineering to agriculture, information technology and software, while highlighting 235 new innovations, 120 active startups — including 11 launched this year — $13 million-plus in licensing revenue, 116 U.S. and global patents, and 1,462 active agriculture agreements. Together, the figures offer a look at how Rutgers research is moving from the lab into new technologies, businesses and real-world applications.
Jerseyland will have more on this report, which you can check out here.
Jerseyland was on hand in Newark on Wednesday for a pair of events at the Prudential Center with the New Jersey Devils, including a media happy hour with new general manager Sunny Mehta, and the Eastback Kitchen food tasting preview for the upcoming 2026-27 season, courtesy of its hospitality partner, Levy.
There are a range of new offerings for fans to enjoy this year, including a new kiosk (Section 15) with Rutt’s Hut, the iconic Clifton spot known for the “ripper.”
Jerseyland will have a full dispatch from the event coming up.
Major honors for Red Bull New York as the club’s internal content team won three New York Sports Emmy Awards — marking the first time in the organization’s history it has captured three Sports Emmys.
The awards recognized “The Stone Kit” in Sports Commercial – Single Spot; “Archer Carson’s Red Bulls Experience” in Human Interest – Sports; and Ballers: “Emil Forsberg” in Sports Interview/Discussion – Single Program — with the production teams including Kris Wan, Anthony Ingrassia, Malia Naugle, Oscar Venegas, Richie Raspa, Rich Tortora and Craig Braden.
The team was honored at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences of New York Sports Emmy Ceremony.
A new upscale apartment complex has officially opened in Moorestown. Pearl Apartments marked its ribbon-cutting Tuesday, bringing 375 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences to the community — located next to the Moorestown Mall.
Developed by Bel Canto Asset Growth Fund, the property features resort-style amenities including a pool, fitness center, resident parlor, coworking space and podcast studio, with a mix of conventional and affordable housing.
Officials cut the ribbon this week on the newly upgraded Liberty State Park Ferry Terminal in Jersey City, with NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain saying the new facility “expands ferry capacity, improves accessibility, and replaces aging marine infrastructure with a modern terminal designed to safely serve the needs of visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.” The $51.1 million project revives a historic waterfront facility that has been largely unused since Liberty State Park was established in 1976.
The revamped terminal includes four new ferry slips, a new pier and barge, restored historic elements and expanded emergency-response capabilities. The project also repurposed the former sunken barge as an artificial reef off the Jersey Shore to support a healthy marine ecosystem.
Tonight is a big night for Jersey pride as the New Jersey Hall of Fame welcomes its 2026 class of Garden State standouts.
This year’s inductees include Big Joe Henry; Thomas Eastwick; Geraldine Dodge; James Burke; Robert Garrett; Christopher Paladino; David Brigati; Edward Brigati Jr.; Dino Danelli; SZA; Donald Milford Payne Sr.; Gov. Christine Todd Whitman; Dr. John McMullen; Lawrence “LT” Taylor; Educator of the Year Marbel Tamayo; and Unsung Hero Tom Weatherall.
The 18th Annual Induction Ceremony takes place Thursday night at the Dream Live Performing Arts Center at American Dream, hosted by Danny DeVito. Jerseyland will be on the scene bringing you coverage from the celebration.
This afternoon, Jerseyland will be attending the Newport 40th anniversary in Jersey City as LeFrak and Simon families mark four decades since the community began transforming Jersey City’s industrial waterfront into the 400-acre neighborhood now home to 20,000 residents and 50,000 workers.
During that event, the LeFrak and Simon families will also announce the recipients of a $1 million grant initiative benefiting 40 Jersey City nonprofits — and unveil a significant expansion of their philanthropic commitment to the city.
Please stay tuned for Jerseyland coverage from there.
Giants fans had their worst fears confirmed Wednesday, as the team confirmed that quarterback Jaxson Dart will undergo season-ending knee surgery after suffering the injury in Monday night’s loss to the Rams. Dart has damage to his left MCL, PCL and meniscus, though his ACL remains intact.
The Giants will turn to Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback beginning Sunday against the Titans — while the team explores additional options at the position.
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