ChristianaCare is a prominent private, non-profit health system headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, serving Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Established in 1888, it has grown into one of the nation's leading health care providers, recognized for its commitment to innovation, quality care, and community engagement.
Organizational Overview
ChristianaCare operates three hospitals:
- Christiana Hospital: Located in Newark, Delaware, this 907-bed facility is the state's only adult Level I trauma center and houses a Level III neonatal intensive care unit.
- Wilmington Hospital: Situated in Wilmington, Delaware, it offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services.
- Union Hospital: Based in Elkton, Maryland, this 72-bed hospital was acquired by ChristianaCare in 2020, marking its expansion beyond Delaware.
In addition to these hospitals, ChristianaCare's network includes:
- Primary care and outpatient services
- Home health care
- Urgent care centers
- A freestanding emergency department
- Specialized centers such as the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute and the Center for Heart & Vascular Health
Market Position and Expansion
ChristianaCare has been recognized for its excellence in health care delivery:
- Ranked among America's 50 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades for three consecutive years, placing it in the top 1% of hospitals nationwide.
- Named the No. 5 health system in the nation by Money magazine in its 2024 hospital rankings.
The health system is actively expanding its footprint:
- Middletown, Delaware: Plans to invest $92.8 million to develop an 87,000-square-foot facility by May 2027.
- Aston, Pennsylvania: Announced a $50 million healthcare campus, including a neighborhood hospital and health center, set to open in late 2026.
- Delaware County, Pennsylvania: In partnership with Emerus Holdings Inc., plans to open two micro-hospitals, each featuring a full-service emergency department and inpatient beds, by 2025.
Technological Innovations
ChristianaCare is at the forefront of integrating technology into health care:
- Recognized as a "Most Wired" health care leader for seven consecutive years by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), highlighting its effective use of technology to improve patient care.
- Launched a virtual primary care practice in 2023, offering patients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey access to same-day appointments, extended hours, and text messaging options.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
Demonstrating a strong commitment to community health:
- In February 2025, invested $1.6 million in 25 local nonprofits to address social, behavioral, and environmental health factors.
- In 2021, announced a landmark collaboration with Highmark Health to create a new model of value-based care, focusing on continuous, data-driven, and technology-enabled health care delivery.
