WILMINGTON – ChristianaCare is set to expand its offerings in southeastern Pennsylvania, particularly focusing on its youngest patients through a new partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
The collaboration is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2026, marking a significant step towards enhanced pediatric services at ChristianaCare. This partnership aims to alleviate the burden of specialized pediatric care, a goal articulated by ChristianaCare’s Chief Medical Officer and President of its Medical Group, Dr. Kert Anzilotti, in an email to the Delaware Business Times.
Dr. Anzilotti emphasized that this affiliation is designed to increase access to specialized pediatric care, utilizing CHOP’s distinguished expertise to serve families across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Though specific details about new facilities related to this partnership have yet to be disclosed, the focus will initially be on pediatric and neonatal services.
The partnership aims to improve care delivery at existing ChristianaCare facilities that already cater to pediatric emergency and inpatient clients. As a result, advanced pediatric treatments will become available to patients throughout the communities served by ChristianaCare.
With this affiliation, patients at ChristianaCare will have access to CHOP’s expertise in a variety of areas, including rare and complex diseases, surgery, cardiology, neurology, radiology, ophthalmology, and genetics. The collaboration also intends to foster educational and research opportunities. As the partnership develops, both organizations will consider further expanding pediatric care facilities and enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery in the region.
At this point, it remains unclear if there will be an increase in staff for either ChristianaCare or CHOP, although Dr. Anzilotti noted that reductions in staffing are not anticipated as a result of this partnership.
Dr. Anzilotti characterized the affiliation between ChristianaCare and CHOP as a remarkable enhancement in access to top-tier pediatric care for communities in Delaware, Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. CHOP is recognized as a leader in pediatric care and research, holding a legacy that spans over 165 years and consistently ranking among the premier children’s hospitals in the nation for innovative advancements in various pediatric domains.
ChristianaCare has been actively pursuing growth initiatives in recent years, which include opening new facilities in southeastern Pennsylvania and acquiring services from Crozer Health’s shuttered facilities, as well as taking over multiple urgent care centers throughout Delaware.
CHOP’s primary location in West Philadelphia’s University City, along with a satellite inpatient campus in King of Prussia—just over the Delaware and Pennsylvania border—positions it conveniently near ChristianaCare’s main hospital in Wilmington. This partnership is expected to enhance pediatric services in surrounding Pennsylvania counties, particularly with the launch of ChristianaCare’s new facilities in West Grove and Aston.
ChristianaCare has a history of striving to improve access to pediatric services, demonstrated by its previous collaborations with Nemours Children’s Health. Both organizations acknowledge their prior relationship and extend well-wishes for future endeavors.
Nemours Children’s Health has taken steps to enhance pediatric service access as well, partnering with Bayhealth to inaugurate a freestanding pediatric care facility in Sussex County. Additionally, Beebe Healthcare is in the process of adding a pediatric focus to the emergency department at its upcoming Millsboro ER hybrid facility.
According to Dr. Anzilotti, the decision to explore an affiliation with CHOP was made thoughtfully, reflecting ChristianaCare’s commitment to delivering high-quality pediatric healthcare to local communities.
He expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Nemours, looking forward to ongoing partnership opportunities as they continue to serve the community together.
In response, representatives from Nemours Children’s Health expressed hopes for closer collaboration with ChristianaCare while respecting the latter’s decision to affiliate with CHOP. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to Delaware’s children and families, highlighting their nearly century-long tradition of providing world-class pediatric care tailored to the community’s specific needs.
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