Health & Fitness
Brookfield 'Doctor Phenom,' Robert Cooper, Retires at Top of His Game
Medical oncologist Dr. Robert Cooper, of Brookfield, had an incredible showing for his sendoff and a proclamation from the Mayor of Danbury.
“Tonight is a celebration of life, hope, faith and community,” said Dr. Robert Cooper to the hundreds of patients, colleagues and fans who came out Thursday to honor him at The Matrix Conference Center. Thursday was also the kickoff to Ann’s Place Festival of Trees.
Dr. Cooper spent the bulk of his 40-year-long career at Danbury Hospital, now known as Western Connecticut Health Network. The CEO, Dr. John Murphy, said he hopes in his retirement that Cooper can find time to mentor young doctors, raising up a fresh new crop of “Mini Coopers.”
Dr. Robert Rubin called him ”Dr. Phenom” due to his phenomenal reputation and the excellent level of care he has given so many. “He is a dedicated, wise man with wonderful judgement and an infectious smile. One of Dr. Cooper’s patients with a terminal diagnosis said, ‘He gave me more than hope. He helped me understand that I can still live a good life.’”
Rubin called Cooper a ‘doctor’s doctor’ and a role model, retiring at the top of his game.
Dr. Mark Miller said Dr. Cooper “didn’t just treat cancer, he treated the person.”
Dr. Cooper was one of the founders of Ann’s Place and, along with Wilda Hayes Olsen and a host of volunteers, was instrumental in helping it grow to become the thriving sanctuary it is today for cancer patients and their families.
Ann’s Place is named after Ann Olsen, one of Dr. Cooper’s patients who passed away. Her husband Ron Olsen is now married to Wilda Hayes who “worked tirelessly as board member, president and CEO for many years,” Cooper said. “Wilda’s passion, persistence and flattery convinced me to be on this stage tonight. If she is the heart of Ann’s Place, all of the volunteers are the soul.”
Thanking his patients, Cooper shared that they taught him to “listen, to be a willing partner, to be engaged, to face adversity with grit, dignity and grace, reaffirming the depth and resilience of the human spirit.”
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton presented Dr. Cooper with a proclamation from the City of Danbury for making a tremendous difference in the lives of so many, including Boughton’s own mother years ago. “Thank you for giving them the gift of life, the gift of love and the gift of compassion.”
Photos by Wendy Ann Mitchell
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