November 2, 2024 Shawnee Park Center 835 South Westend Blvd. Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) invite you family, friends, and colleagues to network, celebrate and support a vital community organization while enjoying a special evening at its Annual Freedom Fund Dinner. The Freedom Dinner is an established tradition for NAACP Branches to raise critical funds to effect change and advance the cause of civil and human right in America. In addition, the Freedom Fund Dinner provides an opportunity to recognize community leaders – local businesses and educators, as well as emerging leaders – all who are actively challenging society to end discrimination, embrace diversity and ensure greater opportunities for all people.
GUEST SPEAKER
William A. Cooper, MD, MBA, FACC
Founder and Chairman
Cooper and Company Consulting, LLC
Prime Health Services Group, LLC
Dr. William A. Cooper was born and raised in Hayti, Missouri. He is a graduate of Hayti High School.
William A. Cooper is the former founding Medical Director of Cardiovascular Surgery at WellStar Health Systems in Marietta, Georgia, and Associate Professor of Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He obtained his BA/MD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, post-graduate training in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and his MBA from Emory University, Goizueta School of Business.
He was voted the 2015 Georgia Hospital Association Physician Hero. He has also been recognized as a Men of Influence Awardee by the Atlanta Business League, Man of the Year by the Atlanta Tribune Magazine, and extraordinary physician leader by Citizens of Healthcare. He is a contributor to the Steve Harvey Show and has been recognized by Black Enterprise, Modern Man magazine, Ebony magazine, and numerous media outlets.
Dr. Cooper is an experienced physician, surgeon, veteran, speaker, author, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of healthcare experience. He has a proven track record of developing a nationally recognized high-quality cardiovascular program. During his tenure as Medical Director, the WellStar Cardiovascular Surgery program was ranked among the top 15% of heart programs in the United States has achieved a perennial 3 out of 3 Star Rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Consumer Reports. The program was twice awarded the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) Gold Seal for heart valve and heart bypass surgery and heart failure treatment excellence. Most recently, in 2019, the heart program was awarded Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center recognition by JCAHO.
In July 2019, Dr. Cooper moved on to start his own healthcare staffing and consulting company called Prime Health Services Group, LLC. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Cooper and Company Consulting. Both firms are veteran owned and operated. His leadership and expertise encompass a full suite of skills, including human resource development, management, strategic planning, data analysis, clinical and fiscal oversight. Dr. Cooper is a certified LEAN Six Sigma Master Black Belt in addition to his managerial and clinical expertise.
Dr. Cooper is a decorated Army Veteran, having served over thirty-four years in the United States Army Reserve and has completed four tours of duty in support of military operations worldwide, including two tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and in the continental United States.
He is a visionary, focused, accountable leader with a deep interest in healthcare transformation, quality, outcomes, and consumer education. He is also a well-rounded clinician with national and international medical experience, including healthcare systems in austere forward-deployed wartime settings.
He has authored many peer-reviewed articles. In 2016 he became a published author with the release of his book: Heart Attack: Truth, Tragedy, Triumph, which was featured on the Steve Harvey show.
To request tickets: capegirardeaunaacp@gmail.com
For more information, contact Pat McBride, President @ (573) 353 – 7334; Lonnie Williford, Treasurer @ (573) 450 – 2922.
