Junior Board of Christiana Care, Inc.
Winter Edition Newsletter March 2026
JB Cause 2026 Wilmington Hospital When Community Cares.... Cures Happen Too many families still struggle to access the quality healthcare they deserve. Wilmington Hospital has been a trusted source of care for years, but the needs of our population continue to grow. Every day, we see the impact of limited space and long waiting times that prevent healthcare workers from reaching everyone who needs help. The Wilmington Hospital Emergency Department is launching an expansion project to build new treatment rooms, add and upgrade medical technology, and create specialized care facilities for children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions. This project will help serve more patients, provide faster care, and ensure no one is turned away because of space or resources, creating a better experience for everyone. Help us make this expansion a success by supporting JB Cause 2026. Your support, no matter how big or small, brings us closer to a healthier, stronger community. Join us at the March General Meeting and Luncheon on Thursday, March 19th, at Wilmington Hospital, when a moving presentation will be given by Dr. LeRoi Hicks (President, Wilmington Campus) and Dr. Emmanuel Mensah (Chief Medical Officer), the Honorary Chairs of JB Cause 2026.
Dr. LeRoi S. Hicks, MD, MPH, MACP President, Wilmington Campus, ChristianaCare
“Providing the best care, at the right time and in the right setting, helps improve health outcomes and creates a more compassionate experience for our patients when they are most vulnerable.” ~~Dr. Leroi Hicks
Wilmington Center for Rehabilitation Jen Thomas and Cheryl West from the Center for Rehabilitation at Wilmington Hospital were presented with a $5,000 check from the Junior Board. These monies will be used for additional supplies needed to support the diverse socioeconomically challenged patients. Our donation will help provide a significant and positive impact on patient rehabilitation and experiences.
Diane Thomas, Jen Thomas, Cheryl West, and Claudine Richardson
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Dr. Emmanuel Mensah, MD, MBA, FACP Chief Medical Officer The Medical Group, ChristianaCare
Just in time for Spring! It’s the perfect time for the first-ever JB Cause Flower Sale. On Thursday, April 2nd, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., an assortment of beautiful hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils will be available for purchase in the lobby of the Christiana Hospital. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit this year’s JB Cause recipient, Wilmington Hospital Emergency Department Expansion.
Smart Boards, Avatars, AI and Beyond... Enhancing Health Care at ChristianaCare To say the December 2025 General Meeting and Luncheon was jam-packed and technologyoriented is an understatement. Members were treated to so much information that they almost needed a notepad to take it all in. Starting things off with exciting news were ChristianaCare speakers Pauline Corso (President, Ambulatory Network Continuity and Growth) and Nicole DiGulio (Sr. Project Manager). They highlighted the new health center expansion being developed in Middletown. Members then voted to approve our $1 million commitment to place Smart Boards in each patient room. Technology will certainly play a significant role in healthcare at Middletown. Next, Dr. Thomas Schwaab (MD, PhD, Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of HFGCC) enthusiastically introduced us to the newest enhancements at HFGCC. He also shared the cancer center’s commitment to expand oncology care into Middletown and southeastern Pennsylvania, with a radiation facility in Broomall and imaging and surgical services in Glen Mills.
Continuing the day's excitement and information, Dr. Adam Rabin (Chairman of Radiation Oncology at HFGCC) shared an engaging PowerPoint presentation that demonstrated the use of physician avatars to explain treatments and improve patient understanding before the patients meet with their oncologist. The avatars can speak 80+ languages and can also be used to upload medical records, focus engagement on cancer education, and be used in many additional areas of ChristianaCare. How fortunate we are to have caring, informed, enthusiastic health care providers to help us navigate the world of AI as it enhances our patient experience. A great combination!
First Annual Board Symposium
Welcome to Our New Members!
The Board of Directors gathered from February 3rd to the 5th at their First Annual Symposium to discuss several topics important to the future of the Junior Board. Claudine Richardson, Co-President, opened the meetings with insights to raise our visibility with both ChristianaCare and the community at large. The structure of our Board, avenues to broaden our income stream, approaches to recruiting new members, and volunteer opportunities were topics introduced by various Board members and discussed openly by all present. Members shared ideas and developed an Action Plan during the closing portion of each presentation. These meetings were intense but very productive for the Junior Board. Over time, our membership will see changes, and our hope is that they embrace all the resulting innovations.
We would like to welcome our newest Junior Board members. They all have completed their training. After observing all of our volunteer opportunities, they have chosen the one they feel is the best fit for them and are now actively working in those positions. We are so excited to have Susan Taylor (Glass Box), Jeanette LaVecchia (Helen Graham Cancer Center), Amy Lazorick (Glass Box), and Chinmai Tavidaboina (Helen Graham Cancer Center Library). Welcome Ladies!!
Susan
Jeanette
Amy
Poinsettias Another heartfelt thank you to Paula Cobb and her teams for delivering over 1,100 poinsettias to grateful patients at both Wilmington and Christiana Hospitals. A job well done and much appreciated! Thanks, Paula!!
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Chinmai
Thank ! you !
ng Camera i v o R
Hospitality Committee mugging for camera
Always nice to see you
Membership listening attentively to speakers
Members catching up
Exchanging ideas
Greeting our guests
Since Old Man Winter doesn't seem to want to leave us, we thought we’d share this hardy wintertime soup with everyone. Snuggle down in your comfy clothes and enjoy this hot treat on a cold winter’s evening.
New members attend their first General Meeting
Black Bean Soup with Andouille Sausage 2-----15 oz. cans Black Beans, drained 4 cups low-sodium Chicken Broth 1-----15 oz. can diced Tomatoes 1/2 lb. diced Andouille Sausage 1/2 cup diced Onion 1/2 cup diced Celery 1/2 cup diced Carrots 2-----Bay Leaves 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (if desired)
Marie Hanley
Editor’s Corner To our dedicated members who help put this newsletter together: Kaye Crouch, Ellen Schonbach, Karen Maurer, Linda White, Claudine Richardson, Angela Case, and Phyllis Adams. We can’t thank you enough for all you did to help bring this edition to fruition. ‘You've gotta dance like nobody is watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like nobody is listening, and live like it's heaven on earth ‘ ~~ William Purkey
Using a slow cooker, combine all the ingredients above and add 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Mix well. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley.
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