Alan Cooper earned his doctoral degree (PhD) from the Department of Psychology—now the Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies—in 1995, it’s been his goal to work in an academic setting in a full-time capacity. After 25 years of building an extensive resume that highlights his specialization in strategic organizational transformation—largely in the medical field—Dr. Cooper has been brought on as the new associate dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. Goal achieved. Dr. Cooper spent 21 years with the North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York. As vice president for learning and innovation, he developed and ran the health system’s corporate university, the largest of its kind in healthcare, serving more than 43,000 employees. Following his service there, he provided consulting services and education in the areas of operational excellence, organizational and leadership development and lean/six sigma process improvement to myriad types of organizations before being brought to White Plains Hospital, where he served as chief people and performance officer. Dr. Cooper’s background in healthcare management and consulting is a great asset that should not only continue to shed light on the ever-growing fields of leadership and the business of healthcare, but also offer invaluable know-how to Willumstad School of Business students.

Business of healthcare, Health systems, operational excellence