Jerome Cohen | Orthopedist, 78

Jerome Cohen, 78, of Ventnor, N.J., former chief of orthopedics at Rancocas Valley Hospital in Willingboro, died of cancer on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Cooper University Hospital.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Cohen was the primary figure in orthopedic surgery at Rancocas Valley, now Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. He worked there from 1963 until 1997, his family said.

Dr. Cohen was born and raised in Atlantic City and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1950. He studied pre-medicine at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., graduating in 1954.

In 1957, he married Phyllis Friedman, whom he met on a blind date.

After graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1958, Dr. Cohen did his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

In 1963, Dr. Cohen and his family moved to Cinnaminson when he landed a job as an orthopedic surgeon at Rancocas Valley. A few years later, he was promoted to chief and remained there until his retirement in 1997.

After retirement, Dr. Cohen and his wife split their time between Ventnor and Boynton Beach, Fla.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Cohen is survived by sons Bruce and Mark; daughter Susan Elfman; six grandchildren; and a brother.

Friends may call at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill. A funeral will follow at 1:30. Interment will be at Beth Kehillah Cemetery, Pleasantville, N.J.