Excellence Multiplied

ChristianaCare and Virtua Health sign LOI to co-found a new regional nonprofit health system

CONTRIBUTED BY CHRISTIANACARE

IN MID-JULY, ChristianaCare and Virtua Health signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to explore the co-founding of a regional not-for-profit health system. The combined system would provide care across more than 10 contiguous counties in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, with more than 600 sites of care, nearly 30,000 employees, and academic programs supporting more than 500 residents and fellows.

“The future of quality health care in America will be shaped by those who take action today to invest in, care for, and be a champion for the needs of patients,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and chief executive officer of ChristianaCare. “At a time of great uncertainty in health care, ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have the foresight and courage to explore what is possible. We are excited to take this bold step to double down on our mission, multiply our excellence and ensure our legacy of high-quality care in our local communities for generations to come.”

“This is an exciting first step in a collaborative journey to amplify the strengths of two trusted health systems,” said Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Virtua Health. “We see this as a unique opportunity to shape the future of care in this region with innovation and intention. Together, we aim to create an integrated regional health system built on human connection, clinical excellence, and a deep commitment to all people in the communities we serve.”

The proposed partnership has the potential to multiply excellence in health care across the region by combining the teams and strengths of two highly respected organizations. Both ChristianaCare and Virtua Health are known nationally for their expertise and leadership in unique care models, including their innovative use of hospital-care-at-home and other new models of care delivery that are transforming the health care experience.

The future entity would be guided by a shared vision to deliver convenient, innovative, high-quality care across the region, and to make health care more personalized and easier to navigate for patients and families. This vision includes a commitment to create more convenient access to urgent, primary, and behavioral health care. It also includes a commitment to improve the health of moms and babies by providing high-quality care and maternal risk management for more than 15,000 births per year.

“This collaboration is about two vibrant organizations coming together and doing even more for a growing number of communities we serve,” said George N. Foutrakis, chair of the ChristianaCare Health System Board.

“Our vision for this new health system — when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open — gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors.”

Both parties will now engage in due diligence with the intention of negotiating and signing definitive agreements and seeking regulatory approvals. High-quality patient care and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged during this period. Both ChristianaCare and Virtua Health will continue to operate as separate, independent entities while they explore this potential arrangement.