Christiana Care Health System is one of the largest health care providers in the mid-Atlantic, serving all of Delaware and parts of PA, MD and NJ.

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American Board of Family Medicine

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, from July to December of 2022, 58.5% of adults used the internet to look for health or medical information. But while most of us have done it, is it the right approach when you need medical attention?For the sixth episode of our “The Toughest Questions in Health Care” series, we're asking the question, "Can the internet replace primary care?" ChristianaCare Physician Executive for Core and Primary Care Dr. Priya Dixit-Patel and ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Melissa VanNeerden explain why the idea of a “medical home” that provides holistic support is a better approach to foster long-term well-being.  You’ll also hear how technological advances are making it easier to meet health needs in the ways that work best for individual patients.Priyanka Dixit-Patel, MD is ChristianaCare Physician Executive for Core and Advanced Primary Care.  She is a family medicine physician who specializes in primary care, gynecology and women's health.Melissa vanNeerden, AGNP is an experienced Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at ChristianaCare Virtual Primary Care.  She has been in practice since 2016 focusing on disease management and prevention.LinksChristianaCare Primary CareChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health Thanks for listening and subscribing! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Toughest Questions in Health Care: Can the Internet Replace Primary Care? with Dr. Priya Dixit-Patel and Melissa vanNeerden

Dr. Dixit-Patel is a family medicine physician who specializes in primary care, gynecology and women's health.

Family Medicine

Women's Health

Gynecology

Downloadable Photos of Dr. Priyanka Dixit-Patel

Priyanka Dixit-Patel

Health care is about more than broken bones and blood pressure readings. Join For the Love of Health hosts Michael Chesney and Megan McGuriman every other Thursday for engaging conversations about fascinating treatments, innovative programs, groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technology. Learn how medical experts are creating health today and delivering the care of tomorrow.

For the Love of Health

christianacare-enhances-health-care-services-for-seniors-with-my65-program-and-swank-center-for-memory-care-in-sussex-county

ChristianaCare HomeHealth Continues to Serve Seniors with Broad Array of Services

Family Medicine Physician

 For many older adults in Sussex County, Delaware, navigating the health care system can feel overwhelming and difficulty accessing care can create gaps in care that ultimately lead to poor health.

To help older adults more easily meet their health needs and be successful in navigating the system, ChristianaCare has brought a variety of services to Sussex County that are specially designed for this population. These include ChristianaCare’s expanding My65+ primary care program, the Swank Center for Memory Care and ChristianaCare HomeHealth—all services that work collaboratively with seniors to help them achieve their best health based on their individual needs.

Download Photos. ChristianaCare My65+ ChristianaCare My65+ provides specialized primary care services for people 65 and older. ChristianaCare’s My65+ services include medication management, annual Medicare visits, chronic disease management, coordination with specialists and additional consultation time with health care providers. These services are tailored to meet the specific health needs of seniors.

“I can’t express enough how wonderful the My65+ program at ChristianaCare has been for me,” said Linda Martin of Rehoboth, a patient of the My65+ Program. “When they opened the practice in Rehoboth, it made getting the care I need much more convenient. I truly appreciate how the professionals at ChristianaCare take the time to understand my health and offer support for my mother’s care. They have a memory specialist on-site who provides expert care for my mother. It feels like I’m part of a caring community.”

ChristianaCare My65+ is available at locations in Rehoboth Beach and at a new primary care practice in Milford, which began accepting My65+ patients in May.

“ChristianaCare recognizes the importance of addressing the unique health care needs of our senior community. Our focus is on delivering care that prevents diseases, manages chronic conditions and improves overall well-being, especially for older adults,” said Priya Dixit-Patel, M.D., physician executive for Core and Advanced Primary Care at ChristianaCare.

Swank Center for Memory Care Recognizing the significant impact that memory-related conditions can have on individuals and their families, ChristianaCare’s Swank Center for Memory Care serves as a source of hope and support for those dealing with these challenges.

A dedicated team of geriatricians, nurses, social workers and other professionals collaborates with patients and their families to offer support, education and guidance throughout the diagnosis and treatment process.

“ChristianaCare has consistently been at the forefront of providing excellent patient care, and the Swank Center for Memory Care is another opportunity for us to enhance support for people 65 and older,” said Steven Huege, M.D., MSEd, The Swank Foundation Endowed Chair in Memory Care and Geriatrics at ChristianaCare.

“By designing care that meets the specific needs of older adults, we can create a better experience and achieve improved outcomes for everyone involved. This initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”

The Swank Center was selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the new Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, aimed at enhancing care coordination and access to services for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Key support services will include comprehensive assessments, care coordination, respite care, a 24/7 support line and education.

With locations in Wilmington, Smyrna and Rehoboth, the Swank Center for Memory Care serves patients throughout Delaware and the surrounding region.

ChristianaCare HomeHealth

ChristianaCare HomeHealth provides a variety of nursing care for all ages in managing chronic conditions, adapting to new diagnoses, and improving daily living activities. It is the leading provider of in-home nursing care and assistance in Delaware.

“ChristianaCare HomeHealth designs a plan of care that is personalized for those we serve,” said Donna Antenucci, MHA, BSN, RN, interim president, ChristianaCare HomeHealth. “Treating older adults in their own home is a privilege and brings comfort physically and emotionally to those served and their family.

“It is truly rewarding for us as providers of home health services to enhance people’s quality of life and improve their overall well-being. We are truly honored to be a part of their journey to wellness and healing while respecting the dignity of those we serve.”

These services are available throughout the entire state and provide comprehensive care through skilled nursing, home health aides, rehabilitative services, and medical social workers. Specially trained professionals offer home care, including physical and speech therapy, to help individuals live independently and safely.

ChristianaCare HomeHealth began as a Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) in 1922 and now has more than 350 caregivers who serve patients throughout the state. Currently, there is an active daily census of about 1,500 patients. The service admits approximately 10,000 patients each year across the state.

Meeting the Needs of Sussex County’s Rapidly Growing Population

Sussex County has been designated as a “Medically Underserved Area” by the federal government, with projections showing that the population will increase from 237,000 in 2022 to over 361,000 by 2050, further intensifying the demand for primary care services.

The providers at ChristianaCare’s new Milford location will play a crucial role in addressing the growing health care needs of Sussex County.

“My65+ and Swank Center for Memory Care Services are unique programs in Sussex County that are greatly needed because of the growing senior population,” said Anthony Paul Buonanno, M.D., MBA, primary care physician at My65+ at Rehoboth Beach. “The health care infrastructure has not been able to keep up with the demand, and it is essential to provide health care services close to home for Delawareans. I am proud to be part of a program that is innovative, necessary and useful to my community.”

While ChristianaCare primary care is a relative newcomer to Sussex County, ChristianaCare already has a large primary care network in northern Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Maryland.






ChristianaCare Enhances Health Care Services for Seniors with My65+ Program and Swank Center for Memory Care in Sussex County

christianacare-brings-primary-care-and-neurointerventional-care-to-sussex-county-at-new-milford-location

Medical Director of Comprehensive Stroke Program, Physician Executive of Neurosciences Service Line

ChristianaCare is enhancing care options in Milford, Delaware, with the addition of two highly skilled physicians to better serve the community's growing health needs.

 
Chinwe Ike-Chinwo, M.D., is a board-certified primary care physician with a special interest in preventive medicine. Thinesh Sivapatham, M.D., is a fellowship-trained neurointerventional surgeon and member of ChristianaCare's Neurointerventional Surgery team, specializing in minimally invasive techniques to treat conditions affecting the blood vessels of the head, neck and spine, including strokes and aneurysms.  The practice is located at Halpern Plaza, 701 N. DuPont Blvd. To schedule an appointment, patients can call 302-725-3420.

Convenient and Accessible Primary Care At the new ChristianaCare Primary Care at Milford practice, Ike-Chinwo is passionate about building long-term relationships with her patients, helping them achieve optimal health through personalized care.

 “I am excited to serve the Milford community and help individuals achieve their best health,” she said. “Through prevention, chronic disease management and wellness care, we aim to support our patients in leading healthier, more fulfilling lives.”

Ike-Chinwo introduces herself in this video. The primary care practice offers a comprehensive range of services to adult patients, including sick visits, immunizations, physical exams, preventive screenings and treatment for both acute and chronic conditions and women’s health. The practice is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In March 2025, the practice will welcome a second provider.

 
In April 2025, the Milford site will also offer ChristianaCare’s My65+ program, which focuses on preventive care and chronic disease management for patients 65 and older.

The providers at ChristianaCare’s new Milford location will play a crucial role in addressing the growing health care needs of Sussex County, which is experiencing rapid population growth, particularly among older adults. Sussex County has been designated as a Medically Underserved Area by the federal government, with projections showing that the population will increase from 237,378 in 2022 to over 361,000 by 2050, further intensifying the demand for primary care services.

As the demand for primary and specialty care in Sussex County grows, especially among older adults, ChristianaCare is committed to meeting the health care needs of the community with personalized, patient-centered care.

 
“Our mission is to make high-quality, compassionate care accessible to every resident of the communities we serve,” said Priya Dixit-Patel, M.D., physician executive for Core and Advanced Primary Care at ChristianaCare. “As primary care providers remain in short supply in many areas like Milford, we are focused on delivering care that can prevent disease, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall well-being, particularly for older adults.”

Specialized Neurointerventional Consults Close to Home Sivapatham is excited to bring neurointerventional care to the Milford community and surrounding areas.

 “Neurointerventional Surgery is a highly specialized field that is often only found in larger metropolitan areas,” said Sivapatham, who speaks about treatment for stroke in this video. “I look forward to working closely with patients to ensure they receive the same high-quality care right here in Sussex County.”

Kim Gannon, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program and physician executive of the Neuroscience Service Line at ChristianaCare, highlighted the importance of improving access to physician consults for patients in Sussex County.

 
“Providing neurointerventional care closer to home significantly improves access to specialized services for stroke patients who might otherwise need to travel to Newark,” said Gannon. “We want to ensure that patients receive the ongoing care and support essential for their recovery and long-term health at a location close to where they live.”




ChristianaCare Brings Primary Care and Neurointerventional Care to Sussex County at New Milford Location

Dr. Dixit-Patel is a provider at ChristianaCare Primary Care at Smyrna. 

Book an appointment here: https://doctors.christianacare.org/provider/Priyanka+Dixit-Patel/845145?unified=Dixit%20Patel&sort=networks%2Crelevance

Meet Dr. Priyanka Dixit-Patel

In the first part of our women's health week Facebook Live series, we  spoke about primary care and OGBYN care throughout the various ages and stages of women's lives with Dr. Priyanka Dixit-Patel, family medicine physician at ChristianaCare Primary Care at Smyrna, and Heike Kuehn, women's health nurse practitioner.

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