Who We Are
The Compassion and Resiliency Experience (C.A.R.E.) Program serves as Cooper’s central resource for workforce well-being. We support team members across all roles, departments, and care settings by providing emotional support, education, and strategic partnership.
Our goal is simple: to help people feel supported, connected, and able to do their best, most meaningful work.
What We Do
The C.A.R.E. Program works across the organization to:
- Support individuals and teams navigating the emotional impact of healthcare work
- Provide timely response after difficult or high-impact events
- Deliver education and skill-building to strengthen resilience
- Partner with leaders to address drivers of stress and improve team wellbeing
- Strengthen and align peer support resources across the system
Our Approach to Workforce Wellbeing
We recognize that wellbeing is shaped by both individual experiences and the systems in which we work. Our approach focuses on four key areas:
Measure What Matters: We use data, feedback, and frontline insight to understand the experiences of our workforce and guide meaningful, targeted action.
Lead for Wellbeing: We partner with leaders at all levels to integrate wellbeing into everyday practice, decision-making, and team culture.
Optimize the Way We Work: We collaborate with departments and leaders to identify and address system-level factors that contribute to stress, inefficiency, and burnout.
Support Each Other: We strengthen peer and team-based support systems to ensure that no one has to navigate difficult experiences alone.
Our Story
The C.A.R.E. Program was established in response to the extraordinary challenges faced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Cooper launched the Resiliency Resources Team (RRT) to provide immediate, unit-based emotional support to team members navigating unprecedented stress. The RRT facilitated group sessions, offered workshops, and partnered with existing peer support programs to meet urgent needs across the health system.
Recognizing the ongoing need for a more structured and sustainable approach to workforce wellbeing, Cooper expanded this work by establishing the C.A.R.E. Program in 2022. This transition marked the development of a dedicated, system-wide program with defined leadership, services, and strategic priorities.
Today, CARE continues to build on this foundation – evolving to meet the needs of our workforce and strengthening our commitment to a culture of wellbeing.
Leadership & Governance
C.A.R.E. is led by Dr. Alexa Hays, Director of the C.A.R.E. Program.
The program is guided by the C.A.R.E. Council, which meets regularly to inform priorities, provide multidisciplinary perspective, and support alignment across the organization.
The Director of CARE works closely with organizational leadership, including the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Physician Executive, to ensure alignment with system-wide wellbeing strategy.
Partnership & Collaboration
C.A.R.E. works in close partnership with departments, service lines, and existing support programs across Cooper, including peer support initiatives for physicians and advanced practice providers.
Through these collaborations, we aim to create a coordinated, accessible network of support for all team members.
Our Committment
We believe that supporting the wellbeing of our workforce is essential to delivering high-quality care.
C.A.R.E. is committed to creating an environment where team members feel supported in difficult moments, connected to one another, and able to find meaning and fulfillment in their work.
Connect with Us
If you would like to learn more about the C.A.R.E. Program or explore opportunities to partner, we welcome you to reach out.