Elevating Care in Our Communities ChristianaCare Medical Group Annual Report FY26
Medical Group
FY26 was an extraordinary year for the caregivers of ChristianaCare’s Medical Group. Thanks to our caregivers’ leadership and expertise, we expanded our services and locations to reach more patients. We debuted new treatments, enhancing care offerings for our neighbors and communities. We welcomed new caregivers, improved efficiency and laid foundational work for our future growth. As our Medical Group grows, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the patients we serve. Together, we care for those who are sick and support those who are well. Along the way, we prioritize caregiver well-being and growth opportunities. Our values of love and excellence don’t apply to only patients—they are foundational to our teams. In the pages of this report, you’ll see examples of The Medical Group’s innovative, high-quality work. I am deeply grateful for our caregivers and proud to share the accomplishments highlighted in this report.
Sincerely,
Kert Anzilotti Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, FACR Chief Physician Executive and President of the Medical Group at ChristianaCare
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Table of Contents The Medical Group: Connected Care, Shared Purpose . . . 4 Patient Volume and Care Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Strategic Growth Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Service Lines and Clinical Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Workforce Recruitment and Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Engagement, Culture and Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Quality, Safety and Continuous Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . 36
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The Medical Group: Connected Care, Shared Purpose The purpose of the Medical Group is to deliver safe, compassionate, coordinated care to the patients and communities ChristianaCare serves. The Medical Group comprises a large employed workforce, including more than 850 physicians and more than 500 employed advanced practice clinicians. Together, they provide care across a wide range of specialties and settings, supporting ambulatory practices, hospital campuses, free-standing emergency departments and many community health programs. They are the foundation of ChristianaCare’s physician enterprise. The Medical Group’s impact extends far beyond its physicians and advanced practice clinicians. It is strengthened by a multidisciplinary team that supports ambulatory patient care, including nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health clinicians, care coordinators, social workers, administrative professionals, and other clinical, operational and embedded service partners. Together, these caregivers and team members work to deliver seamless, high-quality care for every patient.
Medical Group Caregivers Medical Group caregivers demonstrate extraordinary commitment every day—showing up with compassion, resilience and professionalism in service to patients and one another. Their unwavering dedication reflects the strength, heart and character of The Medical Group. Each day, they expand access, strengthen connections to care and ensure patients receive coordinated support throughout their journey. Through care delivery, workforce development and ongoing innovation, Medical Group caregivers are advancing care today while shaping The Medical Group’s future.
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Great care starts with great people, which is why The Medical Group invests in building a workforce prepared to meet the needs of the communities served.
The Medical Group’s Work Matters
Key Focus Areas – How The Medical Group Delivers
The Medical Group exists to serve patients, strengthen communities and make care better.
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Communities depend on The Medical Group to deliver high-quality, accessible and personalized care when and where it is needed most.
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Caregivers put patients at the center of everything they do, ensuring care is seamless, coordinated and grounded in compassion.
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The Medical Group invests in caregivers, recognizing that a skilled, diverse and supported workforce is essential to meeting the evolving needs of the communities served.
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Caregivers lead with purpose and responsibility, working to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all.
Care and Outcomes Advance quality, safety and value while delivering exceptional, digitally enabled access and patient experiences.
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Equity and People Embed equity in care delivery and the workforce, strengthening recruitment, development and retention of top talent.
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Growth and Strategy Expand clinical services and execute growth opportunities, supported by strong, forwardthinking clinical leadership.
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Performance and Sustainability Optimize practice operations and maintain sound business models that ensure longterm vitality for The Medical Group and the health system.
Ruth’s Story:
Virtual Migraine Care Brings Relief Patient Ruth Leal felt desperate. After a two-day hospitalization for a severe migraine attack, Leal remained in a chronic state of migraine that caused severe nausea and made it difficult to get out of bed. Leal explained her situation to Alison Potter, D.O., a neurologist in the Headache Clinic in the Center for Virtual Health. “Not only did she understand,” Leal said, “but she helped me get out of it.” Treatment has reduced Leal’s migraine attacks from nearly daily to roughly twice a week. Potter treats patients through virtual visits, which are ideal for this population because driving to an office visit or stressing about missing work can trigger migraines.
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How The Medical Group Operates The Medical Group’s success is powered by a strong, coordinated model designed to deliver exceptional care and excellence in operations and practice management. Care delivery is organized across 11 service lines, guided through dyad partnerships, pairing physician executives with operational leadership through corporate directors. This model ensures alignment between clinical quality, patient experience and organizational performance. This model is supported by practice administrators and site managers who drive consistent execution at the local level and dedicated finance and human resources business partners who work alongside leaders to strengthen performance for the care delivery team.
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Our structure
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
S E RV I C E L I N E L E A D E R S H I P
C O R P O R AT E D I R E C T O R S
C L I N I C A L A N D P R AC T I C E O P E R AT I O N A L L E A D E R S
C A R E D E L I V E RY T E A M
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Executive Leaders
Clinical Leadership
Operational Leadership
Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, FACR Chief Physician Executive and President, The Medical Group
Francis Gott III, MBA, RRT Vice President, Medical Group Operations
Emmanuel Mensah, M.D., MBA, FACP Chief Medical Officer, The Medical Group Jasmine Garces-King, DNP, MHA, LSSGB, ACNP-BC, CCRN, TCRN Chief Advanced Practice Officer, The Medical Group Cynthia Griffin, MS, BSN, RN, CPHQ, CCM, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer, Community Care
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Gretchen Saulino Vice President, Finance, The Medical Group Kerry Delgado, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Vice President, People Strategy, Medical Group and Community Services Lori Dell’Oso Director, Medical Group Business Operations and Performance
Service Line and Operational Leadership
Service Line Leaders Lauren Cooksey, M.D. Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine and Physician Executive, Emergency Medicine Service Line
Mustafa Mufti, M.D. Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Physician Executive, Behavioral Health Service Line
Priyanka Dixit-Patel, M.D. Physician Executive, Primary Care – Core, Advanced and Complex Service Line
Matthew Rubino, M.D., MBA Chair, Department of Surgery and Physician Executive, Surgical Services Service Line
Kathleen Eldridge, M.D., Hugh R. Sharp Jr., Chair; Department of Medicine and Physician Executive, Acute Medicine Service Line
Bradley Sandella, D.O., MBA Director of Sports Medicine and Physician Executive, Medical Subspecialties Service Line
Kim Gannon, M.D., Ph.D. Medical Director, Stroke Program and Physician Executive, Neurosciences Service Line
Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D. Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute and Physician Executive, Cancer Service Line
Kirk Garratt, M.D. Medical Director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Health, John H. Ammon Chair of Cardiology and Physician Executive, Heart and Vascular Service Line Kaveeta Vinaya Kumar, M.D. Chair, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Physician Executive, Women’s Health Service Line. Megan Mickley, M.D., MBA Chair, Department of Pediatrics and Physician Executive, Pediatrics Service Line
Corporate Directors Nancy Cornett, MBA Corporate Director Monique Lindsay, MBA, M.J. Corporate Director
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Medical Group Footprint →
Expanding Care
The Medical Group continues to increase access across the region, ensuring patients receive care where and when they need it.
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1 84 Ambulatory Locations and Growing Spanning 4 states and 7 counties:
Ambulatory Locations by State DE: 139
NJ: 3
(75.54%)
(1.63%)
PA: 21
MD: 21
(11.41%)
(11.41%)
DE
NJ PA
MD
DELAWARE
PENNSYLVANIA
MARYLAND
NEW JERSEY
New Castle County
Delaware County
Cecil County
Salem County
Kent County
Chester County
120 locations 10 locations
14 locations
21 locations
3 locations
7 locations
Sussex County 9 locations
Within Delaware, New Castle County represents the core of the Medical Group footprint, with 120 locations, followed by growing presence in Cecil County (MD), Delaware County (PA), Sussex County (DE) and surrounding regions.
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A Balanced Care Delivery Network
The Medical Group is designed to support the full continuum of care— ensuring patients have access to the right services, at the right time and in the right setting. In addition to the practice settings below, Medical Group physicians and advanced practice clinicians support patients in the health system’s inpatient care settings. →
Across The Network
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42 Primary Care Locations – the front door to the health system, anchoring longitudinal, relationship-based care. - Strong presence in Delaware, with continued expansion into Pennsylvania and Sussex County. - Includes Supportive & Palliative Care (5 locations) and Union Primary Care (4 locations).
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125 Specialty Locations – delivering advanced, comprehensive care across a broad range of clinical disciplines.
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16 GoHealth Urgent Care Locations – providing convenient, same-day access beyond traditional care settings.
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125
16
Primary Care Locations
Specialty Care Locations
GoHealth Urgent Care Locations
“Growing clinical services is essential to improving care for the communities we serve. By expanding programs and points of care, we can better meet the evolving healthcare needs of our communities while reducing barriers that often delay treatment. Expanding services brings timely, high-quality care closer to home, leading to better outcomes and a more seamless patient experience. Strategic growth also strengthens our ability to support patients while advancing our commitment to patient-centered care.” Bradley Sandella, D.O., MBA Physician Executive, Medical Subspecialties
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Our specialties:
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Behavioral Health Breast Surgery Cardiology Cardiovascular Surgery Center for Advanced Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center for Reproductive Health Center for Special Health Care Needs Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery Center for Women’s Emotional Wellness (2 locations) ChristianaCare Specialty Care at Rehoboth Colon Rectal Surgical Associates Community Wellness Program (2) Congestive Heart Failure Endocrinology ENT Gastroenterology
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Depth of Specialty Services
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General and Surgical Oncology Specialists General Surgery at Cecil GYN Onocology Hematology Oncology Hematology/Oncology Holloway Community Program (4 locations) Kidney Transplant Program Minimal Invasive Gynecological Surgery Neonatal Neuro Interventional Surgery Neurology Neuropsychology Testing Nutrition Services Obstetrics and Gynecology Oncology Ophthalmology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Pediatric Physiatrists Podiatry Psychology
The Medical Group’s specialty footprint reflects both scale and strategic focus on high-demand services, enabling The Medical Group to meet complex and evolving patient needs. →
Specialized Programs
The network is further strengthened by targeted programs that support whole-person care:
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Center for Hope and Healing
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Center for Special Health Care Needs
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Holloway Community Program (5 locations)
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Swank Center for Memory Care
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Sleep Wellness Center
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Weight Management & Nutrition Services
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Psychosocial Oncology Pulmonary Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Rheumatology Sleep Wellness Center Sports Medicine Surgical and Critical Care Surgical Services Swank Center for Memory Care and Geriatric Consultant (2 locations) Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology Urogynecology Urology at Elkton Vascular Intervention Radiology Vascular Surgery Weight Management Women’s Health
Expanded specialty services available at select new locations, in addition to Primary Care and My65+.
What This Means for Patients
This scale and structure translate into meaningful impact: •
Greater Access: Expanded locations, extended care options and convenient entry points
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Stronger Coordination: Seamless connection across primary, specialty and urgent care
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Improved Outcomes: Consistent, highquality clinical care across the network
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Expanded Reach: Services extend into underserved and growing communities
Current Campus Locations
KEY
Expanding Medical Group Footprint
NEW LOCATIONS
Aston Atracare/Rehoboth (inset) Glen Mills (300) Glen Mills (500) Broomall Havertown Media
Chester County
Delaware County
PA Concord Campus
West Grove Campus
Gloucester County
Wilmington Campus
Newark Campus
Cecil County
Cecil County Campus
Salem County
New Castle County
NJ
Kent County
Middletown Campus
MD
Sussex County
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Patient Volume and Care Access Expanding Access to Care Missed appointments, capacity constraints and inefficiencies can limit patients’ access to care. Medical Group caregivers are improving care access through strategic, coordinated clinical and operational efforts, such as:
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In FY26, 150 physicians and 120 advanced practice clinicians joined The Medical Group. New positions increased by 45%. The Medical Group is scaling with purpose, investing in talent to meet the needs of the communities served.
Tools to Reduce Lost Access
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No-show rates have been trending down since The Medical Group launched an appointment analysis and a no-show dashboard. Caregivers are also implementing standardized workflows to manage no-shows and late cancellations.
Productivity Benchmarking
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Medical Group caregivers receive monthly reports in a value optimization tool, enabling visibility into productivity and efficiency analytics.
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Virtual caregivers, employees known as “intakeologists,” welcome and triage new Primary Care patients and place them into clinician panels, reducing barriers to care. New patient volumes increased by 31% year over year, while new patient lead time decreased by 13%.
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Through Primary Care’s new inboxology model, six dedicated caregivers answer patient portal inbox messages, relieving the administrative burden on clinicians so they can focus on direct patient care. The effort unlocked more than 400 visits for Primary Care clinicians while reducing stress and time spent on messages outside the office.
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The new Template Check Dashboard helps Medical Group caregivers evaluate and optimize clinician templates, monitor schedule utilization across service lines and plan ahead. In primary care, templated hours increased by a notable 12% from FY25 to FY26.
Workforce Growth
Virtual Patient Intake
Inbox Relief
Template Optimization
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Visit Volume Rises Steadily
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Medical Group caregivers are increasing patient access to care in the neighborhoods and communities they serve. Visit volume has increased every year since 2021, illustrating sustained growth with consistent seasonal patterns. Fiscal Year
Total Visits
Year-Over-Year Growth
2019
688,507
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2020
679.526
-1.3%
2021
757,455
+11.5%
2022
857,604
+13.2%
2023
1,105,065
+28.9%
2024
1,349,883
+22.2%
2025
1,417,593
+5%
2026
1,487,352
+4.92%
P ATIENT UTILIZATION AND VOLUMES TREND UPWARD Completed Appointments
829,070
902,655
FY25
FY26
+73,585
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A CCESS IMPROVES AMID VOLUME GROWTH Medical Group caregivers are serving new neighborhoods and communities while improving care accessibility.
Third Next Available
(A Metric Of How Soon a Patient Can Secure an Appointment With a Particular Clinician)
23 DAYS
17 DAYS
FY25
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Visit Volume, Year Over Year
FY26
-6
140,000
New Patients
73,391
NUMBER of BILLED VISITS
120,000
FY25
83,095 FY26
+9,704
100,000
FY26 FY25 FY24 FY23
80,000
60,000 Jul.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Billed Visit CPT Volume includes all service lines except the Non‑Medical Group and is based on Post Date, not Service Date. Billed Visit CPT Volume includes office, hospital, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and virtual visit types. Service line assignments reflect the current service line mapping structure. Data Source: Soarian Financials
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New Clinics Meet Community Needs Transitions Clinic: This innovative program, embedded within the ChristianaCare Pediatrics at Wilmington Health Center, helps adolescents establish care with a primary care clinician upon release from Ferris School, a secure care facility for court-committed males aged 13 to 18 operated by Delaware’s Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. Launched in July 2025, the Transitions Clinic helps patients receive timely care while promoting longterm health and stability. Leah Quinn, FNP, a family nurse practitioner who specializes in adolescent medicine, spearheaded the clinic’s development in response to a community need observed while providing compassionate and comprehensive care at Ferris School.
“I’ve never had a more fulfilling role in my life, and it’s because I have the time to respond to patients in a more comprehensive and patient-centered way, giving them the care they need. Because of my work as an extension to primary care clinicians, they now have the opportunity to focus on their patients in the office and the ability to leave the office at the end of the day without a full inbox of messages.” Ashley Pipoli, PA-C Internal Medicine Inboxologist Joined ChristianaCare in 2021
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“I’m driven to provide high-quality care for every single patient I meet. About five years ago, the Medical Group asked me to lead this practice geared towards the Hispanic population, and it has been an amazing journey to work with these patients from so many different backgrounds. We have a robust team and resources to support our work, enabling us to make significant progress in educating the community on preventive health and closing gaps in cancer screening and diabetes control.” Carlos E. Reyes, MD, FACP Clinical Leader, Su Centro de Salud Joined ChristianaCare in 2017
Sexual Health Clinic: Sexual dysfunction is common after cancer treatment, affecting up to 90% of women and 40% to 85% of men. A 2024 study by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer found that cancer survivors need more access to sexual health services. Following this call to action, in summer 2025, Medical Group caregivers established an Oncology Sexual Health Clinic to offer screenings, education and treatment. Lauren Czech, WHNP, a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, leads the clinic after completing a year of training sponsored by ChristianaCare. More than 20 couples have been served thus far.
LAUREN CZECH, WHNP
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Strategic Growth Priorities Strategic Growth Opportunities Through strategic growth across existing communities and new markets, Medical Group caregivers help people access the care they need and strengthen impact as a leader in population health. Growth also fuels advances in innovation, quality and efforts to attract and retain a strong workforce. Growing in Delaware. The Medical Group is bringing more primary care, behavioral health and surgical services to increase access to high-quality care in Delaware communities. •
A new 87,000-square-foot health center in Middletown, set to open in 2027, will bring high-quality care, including cancer care, closer to home for thousands of residents in one of Delaware’s fastest-growing communities.
“Our vision is to expand and grow our services throughout the region so that more patients can access high-quality cancer care close to home,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “By bringing our full cancer-care team and advanced technology to Middletown, we can provide highly precise, coordinated treatment while maintaining the same high standard of care our patients expect.”
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A new, 42,000-square-foot campus in Georgetown will include outpatient, inpatient and emergency care, with an expected opening date in 2028.
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A new 38,000-square-foot campus in Camden will bring primary care, specialty care and outpatient services together in one location, with an expected opening date in late 2028 or early 2029.
Serving Southeastern Pennsylvania. Over the last few years several hospitals and ambulatory in Southeastern Pennsylvania closed abruptly, leaving residents without their usual sources of primary and specialty care. Building upon The Medical Group’s existing presence in Pennsylvania’s Chadds Ford and Kennett Square, Medical Group caregivers are now serving patients at new outpatient locations in: • • • •
Broomall Glen Mills Havertown Media
These locations preserve care continuity and expand access to primary care and specialty services. Making Care Convenient at Multispecialty Practices. Practices that include multiple specialties in one location enhance care coordination, communication and convenience for patients and clinicians. New locations in Glen Mills, Pa., feature Medical Group experts at the same convenient site, specializing in: • • • • • •
Behavioral Health Cancer Care Gastroenterology Primary Care Pulmonary Surgical Services
The new My65+ practice in Rehoboth Beach, Del., offers specialized care tailored to the needs of adults aged 65 and older.
Broomall
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uman Resources and H Operations Support Flexible Staffing Needs at Rehoboth Atracare Cross-functional teams collaborated to define a hybrid Medical Assistant role, align compensation and develop targeted training to support multiple specialties within a single location. This model enhances staffing flexibility, strengthens support coverage and improves scalability. As a result planned services in Women’s Health, Cardiology and Neurosciences will be co-located within a shared facility with Atracare, supported by a site manager, two medical assistants and an office assistant. Key learnings from this model will inform expansion across additional specialties.
Aston
Coming Soon! A new healthcare campus will open in Springfield in 2027 West Grove
Glen Mills
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Caregivers Offer New Services in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern Delaware
New Heart and Vascular Locations in Key Markets: To meet growing demand for outpatient heart and vascular services in Southeastern Pennsylvania, a Medical Group practice is being relocated to the West Grove campus. In March 2026, the first Medical Group cardiology caregiver to provide regular on-site consultations in southern Delaware began work with the women’s health and genetics clinicians in the new Plantation Road office in Rehoboth Beach. Also in March, a new cardiology office opened at Avenue North in Wilmington, Delaware. This location features 15 exam rooms and a diagnostic center to accommodate the growing northern tier of Wilmington. Helping Patients Breathe Easier, Sooner: Five new pulmonary physicians, including four with hybrid specialties in Pulmonary and Critical Care, joined The Medical Group, expanding the group’s footprint in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Pulmonary patient access improved, with a 25-day reduction in new patient lead time. Offering Gynecologic Surgery in Southern Delaware: Surgeon Scott James Merrill, M.D., FACOG, now provides laparoscopic and robotic surgery services in Smyrna, expanding The Medical Group’s reach in Southern Delaware.
Glen Mills
West Grove
Aston
“I’m often the first person patients see when they enter the office, and I take pride in making a good impression and helping them feel comfortable. One of my favorite things is connecting patients with clinicians to ask questions about their test results. Sometimes patients are scared or even frustrated about the condition that they’re facing. I listen and reassure them that I can help them get the answers they need, which puts them at ease. I love this job. I have dreamt of being part of a healthcare organization since childhood, inspired by my aunt. She’s a nurse who helps everyone she meets and brings a smile to their face no matter what they—and she—are going through. I strive to do the same every day.” Dayquan Robbins Medical Office Assistant, Pulmonary MAP1 Joined ChristianaCare in 2026
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A New Pediatric Care Collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia On April 1, 2026, ChristianaCare and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) launched a strategic affiliation that expands access to world-class pediatric care for children across Delaware and surrounding communities by integrating CHOP’s specialized services with the ChristianaCare network. At the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health at the Newark Campus, CHOP specialists now support Neonatology, Pediatric Hospital Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. There was a system-wide partnership with CHOP, the Pediatric Service Line, Newark Campus and The Medical Group to coordinate effective transitions, while maintaining continuity of care, compliance and operational readiness. ChristianaCare clinicians may refer patients to CHOP’s dedicated ambulatory-specialty referral network. CHOP’s team will coordinate with ChristianaCare to help guide families through the referral process and share details about available options. Over time, additional CHOP pediatric subspecialty services will also be offered directly at ChristianaCare. In the acute care setting, Pediatric Ophthalmology services began on June 1, 2026, followed by Pediatric Neurology, Radiology and Cardiology in July and August of 2027.
“This collaboration represents an important step in our pediatric care delivery evolution.” said Megan Mickley, M.D., MBA, chair of Pediatrics at ChristianaCare. “By aligning our teams’ capabilities, we are creating new opportunities to innovate and continuously advance the care we provide for children and families, both today and into the future.”
To learn more, scan the QR code to visit ChristianaCare.org/CHOP
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Service Lines and Clinical Expansion Acute Digestive Care, Now Accessible in Southeastern PA A dedicated team of three physicians focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions now offers comprehensive digestive health services at locations in Glen Mills and Havertown. Services include colonoscopy and endoscopy, digestive disorder care, liver disease management, and cancer screening and treatment.
Behavioral Health Expands Treatment Offerings, Lowers Access Barriers
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Expanded Interventional Psychiatry Services:
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More outpatient behavioral health clinicians joined the Medical Group to meet growing clinical demand.
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Treatment with Esketamine, a chemical relative of ketamine, is expanding access to evidence-based care for patients with treatment-resistant depression and other complex psychiatric conditions beginning at Wilmington.
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Increased access to electroconvulsive therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, specialized care options for high-acuity patients. Learn more.
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Innovative Models Expand Addiction Medicine Care:
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A hub-and-spoke model for addiction treatment, now in development with Primary Care, streamlines referrals and expands access to core addiction treatment services in community-based settings, supporting earlier intervention and improved continuity of patient care. A new Low-Barrier Access Clinic provides rapid engagement and access to substance use treatment, strengthening caregivers’ ability to provide timely care for underserved and high-risk populations who enter through the emergency department but do not need to be admitted.
Cancer Team Grows, Brings Care to New Locations →
New Hires
Physicians with a broad range of oncology expertise joined the Medical Group to meet growing demand for services. •
Ike Onwere, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist who will join the Medical Group in September 2026 as a Medical Director of Medical Oncology in Elkton, Maryland, and Middletown, Delaware.
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Susan Schaffer Whiteman, D.O., is a board-certified medical oncologist/ hematologist at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, with specialties in breast and neurological cancers.
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Deepak Vadehra, D.O., Chief of Gastrointestinal Oncology, is a medical oncologist with a specialty in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Pramod Vadlamani, M.D., is a board-certified medical oncologist, hematologist at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, with specialties in lung, foregut and general oncology.
Karen’s Story:
New Hope in Pancreatic Cancer When Karen Uricoli of Wilmington learned she had a tumor near her pancreas, she was fearful about the journey ahead. That changed when she met Arvind Sabesan, M.D., a surgical oncologist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, who determined Uricoli was a candidate for the robotic Whipple procedure, a less invasive surgical option to remove her tumor. In November 2025, Uricoli became one of the first patients in Delaware to undergo the procedure, which was performed by Sabesan and fellow surgical oncologist Brendan Hagerty, M.D. Just two weeks later, Uricoli was well enough to begin chemotherapy, followed by immunotherapy. “I’m back at work full time, basically back to my normal life,” said Uricoli. “Dr. Sabesan and Dr. Hagerty were a great team.”
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Heart and Vascular Onboards New surgeons, Offers Innovative Treatments •
New Surgeons Boost Capabilities: Two cardiac surgeons with expertise in pediatric and adult surgery, left ventricular assist devices and transplant surgery joined the Medical Group.
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First-in-Delaware Procedures: - TAMBE: Medical Group surgeons placed the first thoracoabdominal Multibranch Endoprosthesis, or TAMBE, in Delaware. These devices treat complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms that previously required open-heart surgeries. Learn more. - Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization: Medical Group vascular interventional radiologists performed the first hemorrhoidal artery embolization in Delaware. This new procedure uses catheters to enter and seal off the arteries feeding hemorrhoids to shrink or eliminate them. - Catheter-Based Tricuspid Valve Treatments: New catheter-based tools allow an interventional cardiology team to repair or replace a leaking tricuspid valve without open surgery. A tool that “clips” valve leaflets together can repair leaking tricuspid valves, and another device lets operators replace a leaking valve with a new artificial one. Learn more.
Emergency Services Debuts New Offerings That Reduce Wait Times, Increase Shared Decision-Making •
Teletriage: Medical Group caregivers at the Union Hospital Emergency Department and Middletown Freestanding Emergency Department now
Pat’s Story:
Minimally Invasive Aortic Aneurysm Repair Pat Gardner of Millsboro had slow-growing aortic aneurysms for eight years. In 2024, Gardner’s doctor referred her to vascular surgeon Kathryn Bowser, M.D., who recommended thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis (TAMBE), a new minimally invasive treatment for complex aortic aneurysms at high risk of rupture. Before TAMBE, surgeons treated complex aortic aneurysms with open surgery, which requires three to six months of recovery time. In 2025, Gardner received the first TAMBE in Delaware, led by Bowser, J. Daniel Robb, MBBS, and Mikael Fadoul, M.D. “If my doctor hadn’t referred me to Dr. Bowser, I probably would have gone to another surgeon and had open surgery, and I’ve witnessed from family members how hard those recoveries are,” said Gardner. 22
offer telehealth triage. When patients check in, physicians can meet them virtually to prepare for immediate needs to reduce emergency room wait times. This service is now available on a volunteer basis. Scheduling will begin in the next fiscal year. •
Patient-Centered Decision-Making Model: A new decision-making model enhances patient experience by involving patients more closely with understanding options and making decisions.
Medical Sub-Specialties Expand Capacity, Community Partnerships •
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: Inpatient hospital rehabilitation capacity increased from 30 to 36 beds, supporting length-of-stay reduction, inpatient throughput and incremental revenue growth. Starting in 2028, Medical Group caregivers will be able to care for roughly 1,000 additional patients per year in a new, freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital slated for construction in Newark in partnership with Onix Group, a leader in post-acute facility development operations. Learn more.
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Center for Special Healthcare Needs: Neal Emery, M.D., a Medical Group internal medicine and pediatrics physician, now directs care onsite at Exceptional Care for Children’s Bridge Unit, a facility that helps adolescents and young adults with complex medical needs transition from pediatric skilled nursing facility care to adult medical care.
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Pain Medicine: By launching and expanding partnerships with community specialists, Pain Medicine grew from a consultative model to include interventional services, now delivering more than 50 consultations per month and offering more services to treat acute and chronic pain.
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Neurosciences Improves Offerings for All Ages
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Point-of-Care Imaging for Critically Ill Patients: Medical Group caregivers in the Neuro Critical Care Unit now offer bedside neuroimaging with a portable CT scanner, providing timely imaging for patients who cannot be safely transported outside the unit. This service results in reduced risk, fewer delays for imaging results and more efficient rounds for clinicians. The CT scanner was made possible by a generous gift from Lanny Edelsohn, M.D., a retired ChristianaCare neurologist.
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Gold-Standard Stroke Care: For six consecutive years, the stroke program has earned every top-level quality designation from the American Heart Association for stroke care. These recognitions reflect the clinicians, nurses and support staff who show up every day for stroke patients. New Stroke Nurse Navigators coordinate stroke patient care from acute admission through discharge These nurses help reduce inpatient length of stay.
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Ambulatory Pediatric Neurology Services: Richard Fischer, MD, and Amanda Hall, FNP-BC, offer services for children across a wide range of conditions, including the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy and seizure disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. A family-centered approach to care supports patients and families through diagnosis, treatment and transitions. Learn more.
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MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound: Medical Group caregivers now offer MRI-guided focused ultrasound, a noninvasive outpatient treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s Disease. This procedure ablates targeted brain tissue without incisions or implants, providing immediate tremor improvement for patients who do not respond to medication and decline treatment with deep-brain stimulation. Learn more.
“When I interviewed at our practice, I noticed that caregivers supported each other and asked questions without judgment. I could tell it was an open, safe environment for learning, which was exactly what I was looking for as I continue to grow and provide the best possible patient care. I love caring for kids. They are so resilient and bounce back from things we never thought they could.” Caitlin LeVee, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC a nurse practitioner at ChristianaCare Pediatric Associates Joined ChristianaCare in 2025
Pediatrics Improves Efficiency, Consistency of Care •
Ambulatory Pediatrics Aligned Under Primary Care: This realignment brings Family Medicine, Medicine-Pediatrics and Pediatrics together, creating a more coordinated, patient-centered outpatient model to improve care consistency across settings.
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Pediatric Care Center Boosts Reach, Flow: A 36-month lookback confirms strong performance across patient access, experience and outcomes. - Expanded Regional Reach: More than 35% of patients served were new to ChristianaCare, with 83% growth in the scope of care (zip codes served). - Improved System Flow: More than 50% of Newark Emergency Department pediatric patients were redirected to the Pediatric Care Center, with 88.5% of pediatric emergency patients seen in the Center. - Patient Experience: A Net Promoter Score of 67.3, at the 78th percentile, exceeds the target, reflecting that most patients would recommend Pediatric Care Center services to a friend. - Strong Quality Outcomes: More than 95% of emergency patients are discharged home, with low 72-hour return and readmission rates and minimal left-without-treatment rates.
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Primary Care Improves Patient Access, Caregiver Satisfaction •
Retention Efforts: Primary Care caregiver satisfaction is increasing because of increased engagement and collaboration. Attrition for Primary Care physicians and advanced practice clinicians has declined by 75% when comparing 2023 and 2024 to 2026 year-to-date.
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Access Improvement: Continuous improvement efforts boosted FY26 visit volume with a 12.5% increase over FY25 without undue burden on clinicians.
Proactive Primary Care During a physical exam that seemed to be going well — the patient’s bloodwork was good, and the patient reported feeling great — Meagan Prime, MSN, FNP-BC, a nurse practitioner at Primary Care at Springside, noticed a lump on the patient’s side. When Prime asked the patient about it, she had no idea it was there. Prime helped the patient schedule a CT scan and followup tests, which showed cancer. “Meagan saved my life by being proactive and attentive to my well-being,” the patient said when nominating Prime for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an accolade Prime later received.
Women’s Health Expands Capacity •
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Boosting Fibroid Care: Two new surgeons — Monique Farrow, M.D., and Elizabeth Banks, M.D.— joined Complex Benign Gynecology, formerly known as Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. The team, now doubled in size, is developing a Fibroid Center at ChristianaCare to help improve quality of life for women with this painful condition. Streamlining Labor and Delivery Workflows: The team expanded operating room capacity for C-sections during weekdays. As a result, on time starts for scheduled C-sections have doubled since October 2025. In collaboration with community obstetricians, a call coverage arrangement was developed to equalize call burdens across all obstetrics call groups.
Making Women’s Health Personal Heike Kuehn, MSN, APRN, a nurse practitioner at ChristianaCare Women’s Health at Concord in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, makes note of personal patient details — that they care for an ailing parent, for instance — in their charts as a reminder to herself. She aims to recall at least one detail about a patient that she can bring up on the next visit. She also organizes patient visits in advance to maximize efficiency. “I knew from her questions that she had looked at my chart before the visit and I was happy to see that,” one patient said. “She was efficient and quickly made adjustments to my exam to make it as painless as possible.”
Surgical Teams Expand Specialty Capabilities •
Ophthalmology: Tony Thieu, M.D., a comprehensive ophthalmologist with cornea and external disease expertise, joined the Medical Group, expanding access to corneal disease treatment.
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Transplant: Surgeon Shakir Hussein, M.D., joined the Kidney Transplant Team. With a focused effort to expand transplant volume, the program achieved a record high number of transplants in calendar year 2025. Christiana Hospital has been named an Optum Center of Excellence for kidney transplants, expanding the patient population eligible for care.
Recognizing Extraordinary Transplant Care Clare Shumate, BSN, RN, clinical supervisor of ChristianaCare’s Kidney Transplant Program, has been recognized with the DAISY Leader Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Shumate has been part of the Kidney Transplant Program for more than a decade, and her colleagues say she leads by example. “Her leadership has directly contributed to the program’s expansion, more than doubling transplant volumes to over 50 transplants per year since 2019, all while sustaining optimal patient outcomes and exceptional patient experience scores,” Erica Atchison, BSN, RN, CCRN, Shumate’s manager, wrote in her nomination.
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Workforce Recruitment and Retention →
By the Numbers
712
270+
461
233
141
MEDICAL GROUP HIRES
CLINICIAN ROLES FILLED
TALENT MOBILITY MOVEMENTS
PROMOTIONS
CAREGIVERS TRANSFERRED into the MEDICAL GROUP
Strengthening The Medical Group caregiver pipeline •
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Residency and Fellowship Growth: Residency and fellowship programs remain a cornerstone of The Medical Group’s long-term physician recruitment strategy, providing exceptional training experiences in partnership with clinical teams. These programs support workforce development and serve as a pipeline for future physicians who develop strong professional and cultural alignment with the organization. In FY26, The Medical Group retained 32 residents and fellows, representing a 167% increase compared to FY23, significantly reducing time-to-fill for staff physician positions.
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Program Expansion and Momentum: Driven by record application volumes and growing national interest, The Medical Group’s graduate medical education programs are well positioned for continued expansion. Key milestones this year include: - Launch of a newly accredited Anesthesiology Residency, with recruitment beginning in Fall 2026 for an inaugural class starting July 2027. Each year, 4 residents join for a 4-year residency. - Successful inaugural fellowship match in Rheumatology. Each year, two fellows join for a 2-year fellowship.
- Continuation of Hematology/Oncology fellowship training with a second class. (two fellows/year for 3 years) Each year, two fellows join for a 3-year fellowship.
caregivers engaged with Delaware Technical Community College campuses, the Polytech Advisory Board, and Delaware HOSA events to strengthen visibility and establish connections with Medical Assistant training programs. Medical Group practices also supported 31 Medical Assistant externs, demonstrating strong collaboration with education partners.
- Increased complement in Internal Medicine and General Surgery - Establishment of a new Consult-Liaison Psychiatry fellowship These initiatives reflect the organization’s commitment to building a sustainable, highquality physician workforce while enhancing subspecialty depth and supporting the future growth of The Medical Group. •
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Advanced Practice Clinician Fellowships. Recently graduated advanced practice clinicians can join a structured fellowship program that combines clinical opportunities with advanced education and consistent guidance from Medical Group caregivers. These programs develop clinicians who can commit to the health system before the open market competes for them. Across six fellowship programs, seven of the 14 FY26 fellows will join The Medical Group as employed Advanced Practice Clinicians. Expanded Educational Opportunities for Health Professionals. Medical Group
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Early-Career Training Programs Foster Workforce Development. The Medical Assistant Academy graduated nine internal caregivers, supporting career advancement. The Primary Care Regional Training Hub trained 28 newly hired medical assistants, standardizing onboarding and improving early competency.
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Reinforcing Career Paths. Thirteen Medical Group medical assistants received promotions, reinforcing career advancement opportunities, caregiver retention, leadership and engagement.
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Elevating Frontline Voices. The new Primary Care Medical Assistant Collective creates a structured forum for frontline Medical Assistants to partner with operational and clinical leaders and translate frontline feedback into action.
“Many of the patients we treat are very sick from cancer. I always want to make sure that their experience with us is exceptional, so I try to make each visit the best it can possibly be. I build relationships with patients and, when needed, I refer them to our helpful resources, such as nurse navigators and the Financial Assistance Program. Everybody deals with challenges, especially when facing cancer. I aim to give patients the peace of mind that they don’t have to worry because we are here to help them.” Evelyn Vilchez Senior Medical Assistant, Hematology Oncology, at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute Joined ChristianaCare in 2015
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A Copilot for Clinical Notes This fiscal year, The Medical Group introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered clinical documentation tool, in alignment with the FY26 AOP goal to prioritize caregiver wellbeing and reduce clinicians’ documentation burdens. DAX Copilot utilizes automatic speech recognition, conversational AI and generative AI to transform natural conversations between clinicians and patients into high-quality, structured clinical notes. Accessible through a convenient mobile app, DAX Copilot records conversations and allows clinicians to view and edit summaries on mobile or desktop devices. Clinicians can then transfer notes to a patient’s electronic health record with a single voice command or directly via desktop. The goal of using DAX Copilot is to improve access, strengthen core services and prioritize caregiver wellbeing. •
Improve Access: Increase clinician retention and recruitment while increasing efficiency and focus on care delivery and patient experience.
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Strengthen the Core: Improve documentation quality and reduce cognitive burden and errors.
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Prioritize Caregiver Well-Being: Reduce documentation time, allow clinicians to have more natural interactions with patients and enhance job satisfaction and work-life balance.
DAX Copilot has been implemented across multiple service lines, and the rollout continues, with plans to include all Medical Group physicians by early 2027.
What caregivers say about DAX Copilot 30
“I’m able to be fully present at work, fully present at home, and really I’m not bringing a bunch of documentation back to my house, which is lifesaving.” Chelsea Hastry, M.D. ChristianaCare Primary Care at MAP2
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Key improvements in FY26:
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Total electronic health record time per patient: 14:44->11:15 Percentage of time spent after hours: 18.6%->14.2% Time saved per user per day: 55 minutes
645+ physicians and advanced practice clinicians enrolled in using DAX Copilot
In a patient experience survey, DAX Copilot users outperformed controls:
+6%
+10%
+9%
DOCTOR LISTENED CAREFULLY
DOCTORS EXPLAINED THINGS
WOULD RECOMMEND CLINICIAN
In a survey, most clinicians using DAX Copilot agreed that: •
Ambient documentation tools (like DAX Copilot) help them maintain a better work-life balance.
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DAX Copilot reduces the cognitive load in daily work.
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They would be upset to lose access to ambient documentation tools (like DAX Copilot).
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If they were choosing an employer, the availability of an ambient documentation solution like DAX Copilot would affect their decision.
“It has allowed me to focus more on just having a conversation with the person in front of me and not trying to remember what I have to order, and what orders I need to put in for the MA, and what do we need to do next, and what do I make sure she has before we leave.” Teresa Wemhoff, PA-C ChristianaCare Women’s Health 31
Engagement, Culture and Community Medical Group caregivers care for everyone who is a part of the health system. They are committed to working together and fostering an environment where every person can thrive.
Surveys Reinforce Reputation as Trusted Caregivers In the latest Press Ganey patient survey, the following high-volume practices scored at or above the 90th percentile for Likelihood to Recommend:
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Barclays onsite health center at Wilmington, powered by ChristianaCare
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Cardiology West Grove
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Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute: Behavioral Health, Palliative Medicine, Surgical General-Oncology, Thoracic Surgery
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MY 65+ at Milford
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MY 65+ at Rehoboth
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Plastic Surgery MAP2
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Primary Care at Carney’s Point
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Primary Care at Darley Green
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Primary Care at Milford
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Primary Care at Perryville
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Su Centro de Salud with Primary Care at Kirkwood
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Surgery Oral and Maxillofacial Faculty Practice
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Surgical Services Elkton
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Surgical Services at Foulk Road
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Surgical Services Wilmington
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Swank Memory Care at Rehoboth: Geriatric Medicine
The following practices scored at or above the 95th percentile for Patient Experience, demonstrating consistent, high-quality care: →
99th percentile:
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MY 65+ at Rehoboth
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Plastic Surgery MAP2
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Primary Care at Rehoboth
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Sleep Wellness Office MAP2
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98th percentile:
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MY 65+ at Milford
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97th percentile:
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Thoracic Surgery Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
“I have always enjoyed building relationships and supporting others. In my role, I value the opportunity to connect with staff across our practices, ensuring they know I am available as a resource and partner. I also work closely with Patient Relations to address patient concerns and help enhance the overall patient experience. ChristianaCare’s core value of telling the truth with courage and empathy resonates deeply with me. I feel empowered to raise questions and concerns, knowing that our leaders are approachable, transparent, and supportive.” Dana Moses Practice Administrator, Women’s Health Ambulatory Practices Joined ChristianaCare in 2018
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96th percentile:
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Gynecology Oncology Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Surgery
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95th percentile:
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Primary Care at Perryville
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Swank Memory Care at Rehoboth, Geriatric Medicine
Top 5% of ambulatory practices nationwide!
Linda’s Story:
‘Part of a caring community’ With locations in Rehoboth Beach and Milford, ChristianaCare My65+ provides specialized primary care services for people 65 and older, tailored to meet the specific health needs of seniors. “I truly appreciate how the professionals at ChristianaCare take the time to understand my health and offer support for my mother’s care,” said Linda Martin of Rehoboth, a patient of the My65+ Program. “They have a memory specialist onsite who provides expert care for my mother. It feels like I’m part of a caring community.” 33
Nationally Recognized Caregiver Wellbeing Efforts Support Caregivers Established in 2016, ChristianaCare’s Center for WorkLife Wellbeing serves as the organization’s center of excellence for supporting caregiver wellbeing, promoting meaning, connection and joy and empowering every caregiver to thrive. Through programs, advocacy and empowered action, the center’s work focuses on how culture, efficiency of work and individual well‑being intersect to shape caregiver wellbeing. Its work has earned national recognition for leadership in workplace well‑being. ChristianaCare’s sustained commitment to work-life wellbeing has produced measurable results. Since 2018, burnout among physicians and advanced practice clinicians at ChristianaCare has decreased by more than 25%, remaining below national benchmarks, while professional fulfillment has increased by nearly 23%. Most recent data show stable burnout rates among clinicians and nurses, outperforming national trends in healthcare.
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ward-Winning Caregiver Wellbeing A Advocacy and Programming
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Wellbeing First Champions: ChristianaCare was named a Wellbeing First Champion by ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a distinction that recognizes that credentialing applications which are free from intrusive and stigmatizing language around mental health care and treatment.
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Gold Level Joy in Medicine Award: In 2025, ChristianaCare was one of 20 health systems nationwide to receive Gold Level Status of the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine® recognition—the third consecutive time that ChristianaCare earned the program’s highest level.
“I’m inspired by the compassion and care we show our patients. We don’t turn anyone away, and we do everything we can to help them. We recently saw an adult patient with a young child who had no food or transportation. We sent them across the hall to Financial Services, and they received two boxes of food right away.” Lynn Czech, BSN, RN-BC Nurse Supervisor, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry Joined ChristianaCare in 1979
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Innovative Programs That Empower Caregivers
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Caring for Caregivers: Providing patient care can be both meaningful and challenging, and ChristianaCare supports help seeking. Since 2015, the Care for the Caregiver program has offered confidential peer and group support to help caregivers experiencing stress. The last two years have seen the highest utilization in program history. In addition, the program provides support for caregivers involved in litigation and connects them with mentors and additional resources to support their wellbeing during challenging personal and professional circumstances.
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Elevating the Caregiver Voice: Twelve clinicians are developing local projects to meet unique needs of their teams, serving as wellbeing leads through the Wellbeing Integrated Network (WIN). The Get Rid of Waste (GROW) program was also launched this year, with an initial pilot program led by surgical advanced practice clinicians. This program empowers front-line teams to directly shape a more efficient work environment. Caregivers share barriers that affect their work so departments can address inefficiencies with caregiver-informed solutions. Submissions are reviewed and advanced by trained champions and leaders, promoting shared decision-making and timely problem-solving. Embedded Wellbeing Specialists: ChristianaCare has been a national leader in supporting the graduate medical education community through the role of a dedicated Wellbeing Specialist. This model of a
role dedicated to a defined population of caregivers was replicated in September 2025, as a pilot program for Medical Group nurses. A Wellbeing Specialist is currently providing dedicated support for the Obstetrics triage, perioperative, high-risk and antepartum units through regular rounding, wellbeing consultations and coaching. •
Schwartz Rounds: This year, the Cecil, Newark and Wilmington Campuses hosted their first Schwartz Rounds: structured, facilitated conversations that bring caregivers together to reflect on the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. A panel of storytellers shares brief firsthand experiences related to the session theme, and trained facilitators guide the discussion. Attendees then share reflections or thoughts. Rather than focusing on clinical problemsolving, the goal is to share experiences, build understanding, and support each other.
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Reducing Stress and Turnover Among Medical Assistants: To better understand and support the Medical Assistant workforce, the Center for WorkLife Wellbeing, Nemours Children’s Health and Bayhealth received a grant from The Delaware Health and Science Alliance to investigate the work experience of Medical Assistants in Delaware. The first two phases involve data collection from surveys and focus groups to identify and assess barriers to long-term employment, drivers of turnover, and social determinants of work. Data is currently being analyzed and shared. Results will be used to inform the design and implementation of a grant-funded pilot intervention to help address common needs identified during data collection.
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Quality, Safety and Continuous Improvement High-impact Performance Initiatives Strengthen Patient Care, System-Wide Learning Medical Group caregivers are highly engaged with system-wide efforts to deliver the best possible patient care. →
Ambulatory Safety Program Creates Sustainable Supports To improve the ambulatory safety infrastructure across 184+ decentralized offices, interprofessional subgroups designed scalable interventions, including local engagement, communication, staff recognition, event review, education, accountability and reporting tools. Results included a 65% increase in event reporting, a 23% increase in Good Catches and a 153% increase in QuickSubmit use, saving 189 caregiver hours. This effort won the 2025 President’s Award, the top prize in the ChristianaCare Way Awards.
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SMART Solutions Empower Ambulatory Care Teams to Handle Aggressive Patients From 2021-2025, voluntary workplace violence reporting increased by 636% in Medical Group ambulatory offices; nearly all of these incidents (97%) were instigated by patients or visitors against staff. Workplace violence is an act or threat occurring at the workplace that can include any of the following: •
Verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical aggression; threatening, intimidating, harassing, discriminatory, or humiliating words or actions; bullying; sabotage; sexual harassment; physical assaults; or other behaviors of concern.
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Involving staff, licensed practitioners, patients, or visitors.
A gap analysis revealed opportunities to build an infrastructure of centralized public safety resources, increase follow-up after workplace violence events and help caregivers gain confidence in their ability to manage patients and visitors behaving aggressively. In response, the Strategic Management Ambulatory Response Team (SMARTeam), an innovative model that applies evidence-based interdisciplinary interventions to emerging workplace violence situations, was developed. The model focuses on proactive threat mitigation and caregiver safety and provides resources that make it easier for caregivers to report workplace violence events. The SMARTeam now offers an IMPACT award for ambulatory workplace violence prevention efforts. →
Expanded Event Reviews Boost Continuous Improvement Medical Group caregivers have expanded event reviews across ambulatory settings. Primary Care and Community Medicine, Medical Subspecialties and the SMARTeam have increased interdisciplinary analysis of safety events to strengthen system-wide learning. Primary Care and Community Medicine had the second-highest case review volume, while the SMARTeam ranked No. 8 systemwide. These efforts mark a significant increase in caregiver engagement and analysis of event reporting over the past four years.
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Protecting Caregivers with Violence Alerts Medical Group caregivers now receive alerts in the electronic medical record when a patient or visitor has a history of violent or aggressive behavior. These violence alerts went live in all ambulatory office practices, as well as inpatient and emergency departments, in March 2025. In FY26 through May 31, 330 alerts were logged, providing caregivers with early warnings to implement safety precautions when caring for patients and visitors. This effort earned the Transformation Award in the ChristianaCare Way Awards.
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mbulatory Falls Sub-Committee Standardizes A Falls Best Practices About 20% of patient falls in health systems occur in ambulatory practices. The Ambulatory Falls Subcommittee partnered with stakeholders to develop an evidence-based, best-practice falls virtual resource for caregivers in the Primary Care and Cancer service lines. A workflow was also established to share lessons learned from patient falls. About 77% of caregivers participated, with an eight-point difference between pre- and post-test scores. The fall rate decreased by 33%. This effort earned the Magnet Structural Empowerment Silver Award in the ChristianaCare Way Awards.
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Equipping Caregivers with Suicide Prevention Resources The Delaware High Suicide Risk Algorithm initiative was established in response to caregiver event reports for cases where patients disclosed suicidal ideations during regularly scheduled appointments. Medical Group caregivers supported the patients by providing necessary, safe care and requested step-by-step guidance and resources to support similar patients in the future.
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Improving the Ambulatory ECG Process A multidisciplinary team collaborated to increase signing of electrocardiograms (ECGs) by physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Event reviews by the Primary Care and Community Medicine Response Teams identified more than 3,600 unsigned ECGs. It corrected inconsistencies in order workflows. Medical Group practice leaders received a job aid and a centralized list of unsigned ECGs. Within seven months, the number of unsigned ECGs decreased by 75%. This effort earned the Operational Improvement Honorable Mention Award in the ChristianaCare Way Awards.
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A New Regional Model of Nursing Care The nurses in Core primary care practices have a new way of working – an integrated Regional Model of Nursing Care Delivery. A team of nurses is allocated to each region, providing triage and message center management, direct care, chronic disease education visits and transitions of care. The goal is to optimize resources, improve patient access and coverage, provide care with excellence and love and enable caregivers to flourish.
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Professional Advancement Model for Advanced A Practice Clinicians The Professional Advancement Model recognizes advanced practice clinicians for outstanding contributions in leadership, education, clinical practice, research, quality, performance improvement, evidence-based practice, community service and wellness. This program enhances job satisfaction and supports professional growth with formal, systemwide recognition for achievements. Since the program’s launch in 2025, 49 advanced practice clinicians have been honored.
Joint Commission
Magnet Recognized
CARF
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Guided by Our Values
love & excellence We commit to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow. We seek new knowledge, ask for feedback and are open to change. We use resources wisely and effectively. We are curious and continuously look for ways to innovate. We are true to our word and follow through on our commitments. We anticipate the needs of others and help with compassion and generosity. We embrace diversity and show respect to everyone. We listen actively, seek to understand and assume good intentions. We tell the truth with courage and empathy. We accept responsibility for our attitudes and actions.
The ChristianaCare Way “We serve our neighbors as respectful, expert, caring partners in their health. We do this by creating innovative, effective, affordable and equitable systems of care that our neighbors value.”
4000 Nexus Drive, Suite SE2 Wilmington, DE 19803 1-800-693-2273