Biography

Military Biography COL (Ret) Irma Hagans Cooper 

Colonel (Ret) Irma Hagans Cooper is a thirty-year Veteran of the United States Army. She is a graduate of the Army War College with a Masters degree in Strategic Studies. She has held three (3) Commands ranging from Company to a Medical Group including one command in Iraq. Colonel (Ret) Cooper has distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in a myriad of assignments with the Army Nurse Corp. In all positions, she has demonstrated inspiring leadership, tireless energy and total dedication to the spirit and mission of the Army Nurse Corp and the United States Army Reserves. 

Colonel (Ret) Cooper previously Commanded of the largest Medical Group on West Coast which consists of two Combat Support hospitals and 12 medical companies and detachments. She successfully planned organized and sustained command and control for medical units in California and Utah. She successfully executed numerous deployments and humanitarian missions. She commanded major deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and humanitarian missions to Honduras, Germany, and El Salvador. 

COLONEL (Ret) Cooper’s professional execution of medical deployments established confidence in the AMEDD’s ability to meet the medical needs of the Combatant Commanders. Currently, she continues to be active working with Veterans, with a focus on Women Veterans and mentoring junior officers. 

AWARDS

COLONEL (Ret) Cooper was awarded the Bronze Star for her service in Iraq and has numerous other awards including the Merit of legion. Colonel (RET) Cooper is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including, 1 of 3 2013 Veterans Service Award by California State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, 2012 Military Nurse of the year Award presented by The National Association of Black Nurses and in 2004 Nurse of the Year Award presented by Citrus Valley Medical Center. She maintains membership in Nursing and Military National Association to stay current on issues to better assist veterans. 

EDUCATION

Colonel (Ret) Cooper is a graduate of California State University in Rohnert Park, California where she received her bachelor’s degree. In 1986 she received her Master’s of Science in Adult-Gerontology, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Administration from the University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California and a second Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from Army War College. 

WORK 

Colonel (Ret) Cooper’s civilian job is a registered nurse. She has held various positions from staff nurse to nursing manager. Colonel (Ret) Cooper also was a clinical instructor at Merritt College of Nursing in Oakland, California. She has a wealth of experience with over thirty years of clinical nursing experience, civilian and military. 

COMMUNITY 

Colonel (Ret) Cooper’s community service includes improving the care of female veterans through education and prevention. She currently, serves as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of Women in the Service (LA-WIS), former president Los Angeles Chapter National Association of Black Women in Military (LA-NABWM), Chair of Armed Services & Military Affairs for San Gabriel Branch of the NAACP and Co-Chair of California Women Veterans’ Leadership Council. In addition, she is a member of multiple military & civilian associations, The Order of Military Medical Merit (o2M3), American Legions, Reserve Officer Association (ROA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans 2 of 3 of Foreign Affairs (VFW), Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) NAACP, National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), Blacks in Government (BIG), UCSF Alumni and Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc, and UC Berkeley Alumni. 

ARTICLES 

Colonel (Ret) Cooper has written articles in nursing and health-related publications; in 2014 “Mentoring Black Officers for the 21st Century.” NBNA News 2007. “The Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing". Journal. Winter; “When Leishmaniasis Strikes” in 2010 in Advance Nurse Magazine. In 2007 "The benefits of a bachelor’s degree in nursing”. Working Nurse. Family Colonel (Ret) Cooper has been married thirty-three years to Minister Titus Cooper. They have three sons, Anthony, Julious and Titus Cooper III. Her favorite pastime is going to the mountains. She loves the beauty and spending quiet time with nature.