Growing with Sussex County

BY PAUL R. SIERZENSKI, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP AND AMANDA CONNOYER, DNP, PMC-HI, APRN, CNP, CENP

IT’S NO SECRET that the population in Sussex County is growing —and aging. With these changes come several challenges and opportunities, as the demand for healthcare services increases. Beebe Healthcare is making strategic decisions to build out programs for seniors and the families who have come to Sussex County. It is about providing services aligned with what our older generation actually needs and making it easier for all local patients to access and navigate our healthcare system.

At the forefront of this strategic transformation is the ability to serve people with the highest quality care, which means having the right mix of clinicians in place. Research shows that the need for additional primary care providers in Delaware is substantial. Knowing this, Beebe has invested in several initiatives and partnerships to boost our workforce.

A First-in-State Partnership

Earlier this year, we announced a new partnership with ThriveAP, a nationally recognized organization that provides advanced practice clinicians (APCs) with education, training, and professional development opportunities. Ongoing education guides our team on how to utilize the latest evidence-based practice guidelines to offer superior patient care and clinical experiences.

It also gives skilled clinical providers new reasons to choose Beebe as their employer. Our medical staff knows that by choosing to practice here, they are part of an organization that supports them and invests in their growth. Beebe is the first hospital in Delaware to partner with ThriveAP, and the program has been graciously funded by the Beebe Medical Foundation for the next three years.

Educating Physicians for Our Community

Another key workforce development investment has been the continued growth of Beebe’s Family Medicine Residency. We launched this program in 2023, and its impact is already proving to be tremendous. We have carefully recruited resident physicians who graduated from medical schools near and far and who intend to devote their careers to family practice, to train here at Beebe. This summer, we will celebrate the opening of the new Long Neck Family Medicine Residency Practice, which will allow us to expand our primary care services and accommodate patients in new ways.

Best of all, research shows that many clinical providers choose to stay in the communities where they trained long-term. All four members of our inaugural class of resident physicians have committed to stay with Beebe and care for Sussex County patients.

Medical education—and the potential for a medical school in Sussex County—has become a prominent statewide topic when discussing the need for more primary care clinicians. The success of our family medicine residency program—and others—further supports how valuable a medical school located in Sussex County would be to this growing population, and how Beebe is working to be part of the long-term solution.

Compassionate, Patient-Centric Care

While building our workforce for the future is a priority, Beebe is also focused on the current needs of our aging population. One initiative that exemplifies this commitment is our Doll Therapy Program for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory-loss conditions.

Dolls can reduce stress and loneliness, providing positive and calming distractions. Doll therapy, supported by evidence-based research, can dramatically improve a patient’s hospital experience and long-term quality of life. The feedback from families has been extremely positive, filled with heartwarming stories about the change in their loved one’s demeanor.

Focused on the Present, Committed to the Future

These examples of Beebe Healthcare’s strategic growth, planning, and innovation are centered on quality outcomes for our patients. Our journey to transform healthcare services to meet the needs of Sussex County is driven by a laser focus on providing the highest quality and safest care—or by partnering with a nationally recognized tertiary care center to streamline access to highly specialized services.

As we look to the future, Beebe remains steadfast in our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our aging population. By investing in our workforce, embracing innovative care delivery models, and fostering partnerships that enhance our capabilities, we are ensuring that Sussex County residents receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.

Paul R. Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FACEP, is the chief physician executive and Amanda Connoyer, DNP, PMC-HI, APRN, CNP, CENP, is the chief advanced practice clinician at Beebe Healthcare.