Joan Pirrung, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC profile photo

Joan Pirrung, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC

President of Union Hospital ChristianaCare

  • Wilmington DE

Joan Pirrung is the interim president at ChristianaCare’s Union Hospital.

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Spotlight

1 min

Union Hospital has once again been ranked among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide, earning the 2026 Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for the second year in a row. In a landscape where many hospitals struggle to maintain consistency, Union Hospital is delivering a sustained streak of high reliability, driven by disciplined safety practices and a culture that puts patient protection first. Campus president Joan Pirrung captures it well: “Our caregivers are relentless about safety. Achieving this honor two years in a row shows the unwavering commitment they bring to every patient, every day.” At the heart of this repeat achievement is a team of caregivers who’ve built a culture where safety isn’t a program—it’s a daily practice. If you’re interested in the story behind these results, I can connect you with campus president Joan Pirrung for additional insight or interviews.

Joan Pirrung, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC

Biography

Joan Pirrung has nearly two decades of progressive leadership experience at ChristianaCare, spanning emergency, acute inpatient surgical and trauma services. Through her Trauma Service leadership, she provided oversight and coordination for Christiana Hospital’s Level-1 Adult Trauma Center designation and Wilmington Hospital’s Level-3 Adult Trauma Center. She is a past president of the Society of Trauma Nurses.

Areas of Expertise

Acute Inpatient Surgical and Trauma Services
Trauma Service Leadership
Trauma Nursing
Trauma Care
Adult Health

Education

Health Management Academy

n/a

GE Fellows Program for Nurse Executives

2021

University of Delaware

Certificate

Healthcare Leadership

University of Delaware

BSN

Links and Image Galleries

Media Appearances

People on the Move: Nov. 12

Delaware Business Times  online

2021-11-12

Joan Pirrung has been appointed chief nursing officer for ChristianaCare Union Hospital. She previously served as the vice president of patient care services for nursing at Union Hospital.

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Hundreds wait for drive-thru coronavirus testing at Wilmington Riverfront; some turned away

Delaware Online  online

2020-03-13

"We expected to have this many folks," said Joan Pirrung, director of clinical operations for trauma at ChristianaCare. "It doesn't surprise me that individuals are seeking our assistance."

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'Time is of the essence': A look into how Wilmington Hospital's trauma center is run

Delaware Online  online

2018-06-25

Joan Pirrung, director of clinical operations for the trauma programs at Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital talks about the benefits of Wilmington Hospital having a Trauma III health center, it now has the ability to have a helicopter pad to fly patients from Wilmington to Stanton."

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External Service & Affiliations

  • Society of Trauma Nurses : Past President
  • American College of Surgeons : Site Reviewer

Selected Honors & Awards

Alumni Star Award, University of Delaware

2019

Top Nurses, Delaware Today

2018