Meet Our Bloggers

Christine Witzsche, Communications Director, Cooper Aerobics
Twitter: @cwitzsche

My role at Cooper: Making sure that employees, customers and the media know what’s going on at Cooper.

My exercise of choice: Yoga or tennis. On a perfect week I get to do both!

After a great day at work, I like to… go for a walk with my dog, Bailey, and have dinner with my husband in our new house.

My Cooper Story: I started working here in May of 2011, but Cooper has been a part of my life for many years. My parents are longtime Cooper Clinic patients and are alive today because of it. Cooper Clinic identified cancer in both of them, separately, during their annual comprehensive physical exam. Because they were able to diagnose it early, when it was still treatable, both of my parents are cancer-free today! 

Why I love working at Cooper: I learn something new every day, and I’ve experienced first-hand how the work that we do can impact others.

Elana Zimelman, RD, LD, CDE, Cooper Clinic Nutrition Services

My role at Cooper: As a registered dietitian, I counsel patients at Cooper Clinic about the latest nutrition to fit their needs and lifestyle.

My exercise of choice: Running! I started running last year and have not stopped since. I’m a half-marathoner and I love training with a group because it’s more fun and it pushes me to do more!

After a great day at work, I like to… try out new restaurants with friends or just relax at home.

My Cooper Story: I started working here in July of 2007. As a dietitian, it was an amazing opportunity to work in a place where health and wellness are of central importance. I have always personally strived to lead a healthy lifestyle, but working at Cooper has motivated me to step it up to the next level.

Why I love working at Cooper: I feel very proud to work here and to impact others in such a positive way!

Jill Turner, Vice President of Operations, Cooper Wellness and Cooper Complete

My role at Cooper: I’m an organizer, problem solver and project manager. Working with our Cooper Complete supplement line and our in-residence Wellness program, my role is to make things happen – whether that’s making sure our supplements are available when someone wants to make a purchase (online or in a store), or organizing a customized week of all things Cooper for a private group.

My exercise of choice: Strength training with a Cooper professional trainer (and a buddy!) twice a week, and daybreak walks at breakneck speed with my hubby and our two pups, Odis and Ruby Nell.

After a great day at work, I like to… relax. Hopefully the evening will include (a generally healthy) dinner, spending time with hubby and friends or family, and reading (multiple online advice columns and whatever book is currently in progress).

My Cooper Story: I spent 20 years in Call Center management before joining Cooper in 2003, and one of my clients during that time was Cooper Complete supplements – my team answered the toll-free number and took vitamin orders. As sales grew, the decision was made to transition to a company that offered both call handling and warehouse/fulfillment. I was really frustrated when my company lost the business, as we had collectively done a great job. Imagine my surprise when I was contacted about two years later to see if I might be interested in coming to work at Cooper!

Why I love working at Cooper: It’s awesome to be surrounded by smart, kind people, to have meaningful work that makes a difference, and to continually be learning about all kinds of advances in health and wellness.

Sarah Carroll, Spa Director, Cooper Spa Dallas

My role at Cooper: I’m accountable for our customer’s experience at Cooper Spa by making sure we have the highest quality staff available, top-notch products and world-class services to offer.  I manage a staff of 38 who are extremely skilled in each of their areas (massage, nail services, facials and waxings, and airbrush tanning). We all strive to perfect the spa connection to our guests and I am responsible for making sure we have all the tools and services to do just that.

My exercise of choice: Getting behind the stroller and going, as quick as my legs can take us! I wish I could say that I run but I can’t keep up with my husband, even his 13 mile pace. It’s sort-of a family tradition; my mom used to push my siblings and I around in her jogger.  Now with grown-up children, she walks close to 15 miles every day and is a fantastic inspiration!

After a great day at work, I like to… spend quality time with my family and friends.  I look forward to the nights that I get to be with my boys and take in some of my guilty pleasures (like eating frosting off of cupcakes and watching reality television). Who says you can’t be spoiled in moderation?

My Cooper Story: Having started at Cooper as a Part-Time Spa Coordinator, fresh out of college and a newlywed transplant from New Braunfels, I was fortunate to be able to explore my passions. I hit the jackpot here at Cooper; I formed an irreplaceable relationship with my Spa mentor who helped me get to where I am today. Where I am now allows me to cultivate the spa and my teammates for a strong future, drive to be the very best and serve the customers of Cooper Spa.

Why I love working at Cooper: I am motivated every day knowing that the staff at Cooper Spa are actually touching the lives of others, even literally. I enjoy serving our guests but also serving my fellow Cooper teammates to the best of my ability; they are the most amazing people I have ever had the opportunity to meet and my life has been impacted greatly by each one in some way.

Amy George, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Cooper Aerobics

My role at Cooper: I’m our Brand Cheerleader!

My exercise of choice: Dancing! Salsa, West Coast Swing or just gettin’ my groove on at the dance floor.

After a great day at work, I like to… walk my dogs, Sara, my Morkie, and Sissy, my Yorkie, then sit on a patio with a tasty beverage.

My Cooper Story: I’m celebrating my five-year anniversary! As a native of Dallas I always knew of Dr. Cooper and then had the opportunity to exercise at Cooper Fitness Center as part of a corporate membership perk at the agency I worked for (VP Brad Wilkins was my personal trainer!). Years later, I was looking for my next career move and found an online job posting for a Communications Director. I was lucky enough to get the job and a promotion to my current position.

Why I love working at Cooper: The Marketing & Communications team! Call me biased, but our group is the most talented, creative and funny collection of people I know. I look forward to walking in the office every morning, swapping life stories and producing awesome work.