Director
Paula Watson, MS
Paula has been a member of the Cooper University Health Care team since 1980 and joined the EAP team in 1992. Paula has worked to grow our program and expand our clients within Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties. Paula graduated from Rutgers University School of Business with a bachelor of science and received her master’s in organizational development and leadership from St. Joseph’s University.
Paula is a certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow belt and Change Agent. She is certified as an instructor in B-E-S-T Communication styles, Crucial Conversations, and mediation for workplace conflict. She works in a consulting role with management on employee issues such as conflict, morale, and change initiatives; she regularly speaks on a variety of topics such as emotional intelligence, communication, change, and maintaining healthy boundaries.
Paula is pursuing her coaching certification through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and provides coaching for skill development in our Cherry Hill and Camden offices. She regularly attends professional development to remain current in best practices in organizational development.
EAP Counselors
Heather Skarbek, LSW
Heather has been working in the field of mental health since 2004, gaining experience working alongside adults with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders. Prior to joining Cooper University Health Care’s Employee Assistance Program in 2016, she was the programs master’s level intern. She is currently a licensed social worker and is pursing her Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) certification and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) certification. Heather graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and received her master of social work degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice. Heather attends continuing education trainings in order to be proficient in contemporary evidence based interventions.
Heather believes healing begins with awareness, and thrives with individualized action. She believes each person has the ability to make impactful changes with the resources they have in the present. She utilizes a psycho-social-spiritual approach, which integrates both mind and body with techniques and practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and solution focused counseling.
Ronna Stedman, LSW
Ronna received her master's degree in social work from the Rutgers University School of Social Work in 2006 and is a licensed social worker in the State of New Jersey. Ronna is currently pursuing her certification as an Employee Assistance Professional and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) under the Department of Transportation regulations. Ronna has been providing mental health counseling since 2006 and joined our team in 2018.
Ronna specializes in the treatment of anxiety-based disorders, grief, and stress management. She is passionate about helping clients resolve symptoms of trauma both safely and quickly. Ronna uses a mind-body approach in her sessions, combing cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and emotional freedom techniques to help clients improve their overall well-being and create real and tangible change in their lives.