The Cooper’s Lifelong Bond with New York Medical College

Dr. Jaimee Cooper, the most recent NYMC graduate from the Cooper family, said that becoming a physician was a lifelong aspiration for her, specifically becoming a surgeon. She yearned for making a tangible impact on people’s lives. Specializing in otolaryngology, she now follows in her father’s footsteps—something she never anticipated. 

“I used to say I would never be an ENT. I told everyone, “‘I’ll do anything but that—I want to be a surgeon, just not that kind,’ I’d say,” she recalled. “I think it started with Take Your Child to Work Day, watching my dad pull mucus out of people’s noses. I was seven years old, and it just seemed gross. I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to do that – until I started my rotations and really enjoyed the specialty.”

Otolaryngology offered everything she wanted: medicine, surgery, community, and a diverse patient population. She now looks forward to her residency at the University of Miami. “I often heard from people in the community about how much they appreciated my dad—how he helped them through the ailments they faced. That really stuck with me. I want to be that kind of physician too—someone who sees patients as whole people and is truly present in their lives.”

During her first year at NYMC, Dr. Jaimee Cooper attended the College's Alumni Reunion in November 2022. Surrounded by generations of fellow graduates—including her own family—she felt deeply connected to NYMC's legacy and the traditions that bind past, present, and future students. The experience helped reinforce her commitment to the path she was just beginning.

Dr. Jonathan Cooper says he would’ve been proud of Jaimee no matter where she went, but her decision to pursue ENT at NYMC made commencement especially meaningful. “NYMC has always done a great job of preparing people to be physicians—not just academics with their heads in the clouds, but real, hands-on doctors. It’s about being in the hospitals, in the clinics, on the ground, taking care of your community. To me, that’s what medicine is all about, and NYMC prepared me for that incredibly well.”

Though he witnessed the impact of his father’s career in internal medicine, Dr. Jonathan Cooper, initially studied computer science in undergrad. “I was having so much fun in college; I wanted to keep going to school.” Initially planning to specialize in internal medicine like his father, his plans changed after witnessing open heart surgery. “That moment made me realize I wanted to be a surgeon. I wanted to treat men, women, children, perform micro and major surgeries, and otolaryngology gives you a lot of options to do just that.”

After residency, he opened his own practice and eventually helped form South Florida ENT Associates, where he now serves as chief medical officer.

Dr. Jonathan Cooper and Dr. Jaimee Cooper, said that their familiar connections to NYMC didn’t influence their attendance at the College, but that it was how the stars aligned. The diversity of experiences and patient populations were the forces that drew them to the Valhalla, New York campus. “The diversity of experiences we get is one of the most valuable parts of our training,” said Dr. Jaimee Cooper. “We have access to very urban hospitals and patient populations, but we also gain exposure to more suburban—and even somewhat rural—settings. That breadth of medicine is really unique.”

While Dr. Harvey E. Cooper, also experienced the vast opportunities NYMC offered, the backdrop to his medical school experience was in Manhattan, when NYMC was known as New York Medical College, Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals. Miles and decades apart all three Coopers found themselves drawn to a school that values clinical rigor, compassion, and adaptability. 

For Dr. Harvey Cooper, medicine was an early calling. Between his aptitude for science and admiration for his childhood physician, the decision came naturally. He chose to specialize in internal medicine during his fourth year, inspired by a chief of medicine who made diagnosis and treatment planning both challenging and enjoyable. Before residency, Dr. Harvey Cooper served in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps at the National Institutes of Health, where he became interested in malignant hematology.

As he was discharged from the Public Health Service, he decided to return to NYMC to a revamped residency program headed by Samuel H. Rubin, M.D., M.S., and chaired by Rachmiel Levine, M.D. Dr. Rubin went on to become his mentor for many years afterwards. He later served as chief resident at Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospital, gaining daily mentorship from faculty that helped shape his clinical approach. After completing that year, he entered a hematology fellowship at NYMC, directed by Sheldon Rothenberg, M.D., and chaired by Robert Goldenstein, M.D.

Now retired after 54 years of practice, Dr. Harvey Cooper has cared for patients and worked alongside physicians from all walks of life, including those who came to NYMC from Vienna to escape Adolf Hitler. “The professors at NYMC brought medicine to life—they made it meaningful and fun. That passion ran so deep that I never felt like I went to work a single day in 50 years. It was always more than just a job.”

When reflecting on how his one choice to attend NYMC during his senior year of college avalanched into his son and granddaughter following in his footsteps, Dr. Harvey Cooper, said “It’s truly wonderful—beyond words. Jonathan chose medicine on his own, and I was thrilled when he did—and even more so when he chose NYMC. He’s become a fine physician. As for Jamiee, I’m beyond happy. I had no direct influence, but perhaps she was inspired by her father. While I’m not sure if having three generations attend NYMC is entirely unique, it’s definitely rare—and I’m deeply proud of that. Proud in a kind and humble way, not out of boastfulness. It brings me immense joy.”