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ChristianaCare Will Establish New Health Care Campus in Aston, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Dec 6, 2024

2 min

ChristianaCare has announced that Aston, PA will be the location for its next health care campus that will feature a neighborhood hospital and a health center. This is one of two facilities that ChristianaCare plans to open in Delaware County, as announced in February 2024. The hospital will be built in partnership with Emerus Holdings, Inc., the nation’s leading developer of neighborhood hospitals.


The ChristianaCare Aston Campus, located at 700 Turner Industrial Way, is expected to open in the second half of 2026.


The site was chosen based on a market assessment of historical and projected demographic data and health care service availability as well as a consumer survey, community input and feedback from elected officials and business leaders. The study identified gaps in health care accessibility, concluding that Aston would be an ideal location for a health campus.


“We are thrilled to be bringing high quality health care services to our neighbors in Aston in Delaware County,” said Jennifer Schwartz, chief strategy officer at ChristianaCare. “Our goal is to make access to health care easy, convenient and close to home in a way that is sustainable and right-sized to meet the needs of the local community.”


The neighborhood hospital will operate 24/7 with approximately 10 inpatient beds and an emergency department. The emergency department will treat common emergency care needs such as falls, injuries, heart attacks and strokes. The hospital will also provide diagnostic capabilities, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), X-ray and laboratory services.

In addition to on-site staff, the hospital will benefit from access to virtual consults — such as neurology and cardiology — to support safe and effective care.


ChristianaCare will add a health center on the second floor of the hospital offering outpatient services. These services will be developed based on community needs and are expected to include primary and specialty care practices plus an array of other clinical services.


The announcement comes as construction is already under way on ChristianaCare’s first Pennsylvania neighborhood hospital, in West Grove, nearby in southern Chester County, which is projected to open mid-2025. Together, these three new campuses represent a new layer of care coming to southeastern Pennsylvania.


ChristianaCare has been providing health care services to the residents of southeastern Pennsylvania for many years. Today, ChristianaCare offers primary care in three Chester County practices that are located in Jennersville, West Grove and Kennett Square. In addition, Concord Health Center in Chadds Ford, Delaware County, provides a wide array of services, including primary care, women’s health, sports medicine, behavioral health and more. Combined, ChristianaCare is now the medical home for 25,000 residents in these communities.


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

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.

1 min

ChristianaCare Appoints Ashley Panichelli, M.D., Vice Chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine

Ashley Panichelli, M.D., has been appointed vice chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at ChristianaCare. In this role, Panichelli will support the department’s clinical and academic missions. She will help guide quality and safety initiatives and promote a culture of accountability, learning and psychological safety. She will advance education and professional development across faculty and residency programs, assist with strategic planning, mentorship and peer review, and strengthen collaboration across department leadership, faculty and staff. A Delaware native, Panichelli earned her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and completed her residency and chief residency in Family Medicine at ChristianaCare in 2018. She joined the residency program’s core faculty that same year and has since held several leadership roles, including clinical lead and associate program director. In 2022, she was named clinical director of Academic and Complex Primary Care, a role she continues to support. Panichelli is a clinical assistant professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College and has been recognized with several honors, including the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians’ Teacher of the Year award and the Department’s Rising Star award. She completed ChristianaCare’s ACT course, the LEED-R elective, and the Harvard Medical Director Leadership Institute. She was an Emerging Leaders Institute scholar with the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. She reports to Erin Kavanaugh, M.D., FAAFP, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

3 min

Delaware INBRE Summer Scholars Complete Biomedical Research Projects at ChristianaCare

Eight undergraduate scholars recently completed a 10-week immersion in biomedical research through the Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Scholars Program at ChristianaCare. Their projects, spanning oncology, emergency medicine and community health, culminated in a capstone presentation and celebration on August 13 at Christiana Hospital. This year’s cohort included students from University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College, as well as Delaware residents attending college out of state. Each student was paired with expert mentors from across ChristianaCare, contributing to research designed to improve patient care and outcomes. In addition to their primary projects, the scholars explored ChristianaCare’s advanced facilities such as the Gene Editing Institute Learning Lab, gaining hands-on exposure to cutting-edge methods in biomedical research. “This year’s DE-INBRE program at ChristianaCare was a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Susan Smith, Ph.D., RN, program director of Technology Research & Education at ChristianaCare and the INBRE site principal investigator. “We brought together undergraduates from various academic backgrounds and immersed them in real, hands-on biomedical research with some of our most accomplished investigators. “Watching these students go from a little unsure on day one to confidently presenting their own findings by the end of the summer was inspiring, and proof that programs like this are building the next generation of biomedical researchers in Delaware.” Delaware INBRE is a statewide initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health to strengthen Delaware’s biomedical research infrastructure. It supports undergraduate research training, faculty development and core facility investments across partner institutions. At ChristianaCare, the program offers students immersive, hands-on research experiences guided by seasoned investigators, equipping them with the skills, mentorship and exposure essential for careers in science and medicine. Madeline Rowland, a Delaware resident and rising senior at Williams College in Massachusetts, collaborated with Hank Chen, senior medical physicist at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, to evaluate tattoo-free, surface-guided radiation therapy for breast cancer patients. She also worked with leaders of ChristianaCare’s Center for Virtual Health to explore how different patient populations experience virtual primary care. Rowland praised the program for the research skills and knowledge she gained as well as the meaningful relationships she built with mentors, health care professionals and fellow scholars she might not have otherwise met. “Dr. Chen and the whole Radiation team really adopted me into the department,” Rowland said. “From sitting on the CT simulation table in my first week to working on my project, I felt fully welcomed. I’ve learned so much, and the people I’ve met made this summer unforgettable.” Chen was recognized as the program’s inaugural “Mentor of the Summer” for his exceptional dedication and thoughtful approach to teaching. Having now mentored INBRE scholars for three years, Chen has a personal connection to the program. His own daughter participated as an undergraduate and recently began her general surgery residency after graduating from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. For Chen, mentoring represents an investment in health care’s future. “The greatest asset of any institution is its talent,” he explained. “When you welcome students into your environment, you draw good people to your field, and patients ultimately benefit from that.” Naana Twusami, a rising senior at Delaware State University, spent her summer with the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Dentistry Department. She examined social determinants of health in facial trauma patients, analyzing how factors like income, education, transportation and insurance status influence recovery. “Being here showed me that things like income or transportation can matter just as much as the medical care itself,” she said. “The INBRE Summer Scholars Program gave me a real look at how health care works, and how places like ChristianaCare are helping shape where it’s headed.” Amy Minsker, continuing medical education manager, Academic Affairs, served as manager of the summer scholars program. Read more on news.christianacare.org.

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