ChristianaCare, Delaware’s leading nonprofit health system, has unveiled a major $865 million investment plan aimed at expanding access to care across the state over the next three years. This marks a significant increase from its previous commitment of $375 million in community health investments over the past three years.
At the heart of this initiative is the development of an 87,000‑sq‑ft multidisciplinary health center on the Middletown campus, adjacent to its existing freestanding emergency department. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2025, with the center expected to open in early 2027. Middletown Mayor Ken Branner anticipates that the expansion will generate over 70 full‑time jobs, reinforcing both healthcare capacity and local employment.
ChristianaCare CEO Janice E. Nevin emphasized the strategic vision behind the investment: “Our commitment to double our investment… is guided by the belief that providing care close to home, or even in the home, is how we improve health and make care affordable”.
The investment will support expanded services in primary care, behavioral health, cancer treatment, specialty/surgical procedures, and rehabilitative care. Additional projects include a statewide ambulatory surgery center network through a partnership with Atlas Healthcare Partners.
Since 2022, ChristianaCare has already opened a series of specialized care centers, enhancing its patient reach:
- A 24/7 pediatric emergency center in Newark serving around 9,000 children annually
- A sleep medicine center launched in 2023
- A pioneering MRI‑guided focused ultrasound unit in 2024 targeting movement disorders
- A network of 16 ChristianaCare‑GoHealth urgent care locations
- A 33‑bed critical illness recovery hospital in Wilmington opened in 2022
ChristianaCare operates 36 primary care practices serving approximately 200,000 patients supporting preventive and chronic care access across Delaware. It also runs a “Hospital Care at Home” initiative, enabling acute-level medical care from patients’ homes.
Becker’s Hospital Review notes this $865 million investment is nearly double previous capital commitments, reflecting the system’s ongoing response to demographic shifts and healthcare demands.
As Delaware prepares for potential shifts in Medicaid policy, where up to 12 million Americans could lose coverage, the move underscores ChristianaCare’s dedication to maintaining—and growing—access to care.
From building new facilities and expanding service lines to boosting workforce and bolstering in-home care, ChristianaCare’s strategy reflects a forward-thinking approach. The anchor project in Middletown, projected to open in 2027, serves as a flagship commitment to keeping advanced, high-quality care within reach of Delawareans.
