ChristianaCare breaks ground on Middletown expansion

The $92.3 million project reflects a ChristianaCare’s larger plan, announced in July, to invest more than $865 million in Delaware over the next three years,  a release stated.

ChristianaCare stopped short of adding a  hospital in Delaware's fourth largest municipality. It  opened a neighborhood hospital in Jennersville, PA with another under construction in Delaware County, PA.

The 87,000-square-foot Health Center is located  621 Middletown Odessa Road, next to ChristianaCare’s existing freestanding emergency department.

The facility will expand access to  services and create more than 70 new full-time jobs.

“Today we take an exciting step forward for Delaware, as part of ChristianaCare’s $865 million investment to expand access and strengthen health across our state,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., CEO of ChristianaCare. “This new health center is a promise to Delawareans: that they will have access to exceptional care close to home, delivered with love and excellence. More than a building, it represents our vision for healthier communities, our deep commitment to those we serve, and a future where every neighbor can thrive.”

Services will include:

• Primary and specialty care.
• Women’s health, behavioral health, oncology, cardiovascular care, pediatrics, neurology, imaging, diagnostics and lab testing.
• Hybrid exam rooms with interactive digital tools that allow family members to join virtually.
• Calming waiting areas with sensory-sensitive design features, plus friendly floor ambassadors to help patients navigate the building.
• Healing environments that include walking trails and abundant natural light.

“We are designing care around people, not around appointments or buildings,” said Pauline Corso, president of Ambulatory Network Continuity and Growth at ChristianaCare. “From easy parking to advanced care coordination, every detail of this new center is aimed at making health care more welcoming, more connected and more human.”

ChristianaCare has been part of the Middletown community since 2009, when it first acquired the land that is now home to the freestanding emergency department. Last year, that facility provided care for more than 32,000 patient visits.

“This groundbreaking is a proud moment for our town,” said Ken Branner, mayor of Middletown. “ChristianaCare has been a trusted partner for many years, and this new facility shows a lasting commitment to our residents. It will bring top-quality care closer to home and create good jobs right here in our community.”

ChristianaCare is the state's largest hospital system and is exploring a merger with South Jersey-based Virtua Health.