Northern Delaware hospitals assist in wind-down of Crozer Health

Crozer failed to emerge from bankruptcy proceedings and despite millions of dollars that were poured into the system in recent months.

"ChristianaCare is engaged with Pennsylvania state and county officials and our health care partners throughout the region in planning for the health care needs of the Delaware County community," stated Ric Cuming, chief operating officer of ChristianaCare. "As one of Crozer-Chester Medical Center's closest neighbors, we understand that its closing will significantly affect Delaware County and neighboring Chester and New Castle counties, creating uncertainty for many patients and their families. We are actively engaged in discussions about potential needs for patient transfers and continuity of care, as well as the impact of the Crozer closing on graduate medical education and residencies—and whether we may be able to integrate some of those residents into our programs."

Cuming also noted that  ChristianaCare would continue to expand into southeastern Pennsylvania through primary care, a neighborhood hospital in West Grove, PA, opening this summer, and another in Aston, opening in 2026. 

"We also continue to explore options for an additional Delaware County neighborhood hospital location," Cuming stated.

The closing of Crozer Chester Medical Center trauma unit means seriously injured patients in that area must be transported to ChristianaCare's Newark campus center or into Philadelphia. Both are about an equal distance apart.

Also affected were maternity, burn care and obstetrics. Crozer operated a regional burn center that treated Delaware patients with serious burns.

ChristianaCare has resources available, including helicopter service.

Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington also reported increased patient activity as Crozer's hospitals move patients before closing. St. Francis owner Trinity Mid-Atlantic operates a hospital in Delaware County.

During Crozer's financial struggle, ChristianaCare entered negotiations to buy the health care system, Delaware County's largest employer.

However, issues, including a changing healthcare landscape and a conversion to ChristianaCare's nonprofit status, were cited as reasons for ending  the merger process.