Vishesh Agarwal, M.D., Appointed Chief of Addiction Medicine Services

Psychiatrist and national leader in addiction care to advance ChristianaCare’s integrated behavioral health strategy

May 29, 2025

2 min

Vishesh Agarwal, M.D.



Vishesh Agarwal, M.D., has been appointed chief of Addiction Medicine Services at ChristianaCare.


In this role, Agarwal will lead and expand ChristianaCare’s comprehensive addiction treatment services, guiding care for people with substance use disorders across inpatient, outpatient, emergency and consultation settings. He will oversee addiction programs across all campuses, help create consistent care guidelines and support teams of experts working together to provide safe, effective and compassionate care for patients.


A key priority for Agarwal will be to explore strategic growth opportunities to broaden ChristianaCare’s reach and strengthen its impact on individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that ChristianaCare continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence.


Agarwal will continue in his role as vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry at ChristianaCare, maintaining his leadership of clinical and operational initiatives in the Behavioral Health Service Line. He will continue to lead efforts to improve provider well-being, develop care pathways and foster clinical growth. He also oversees the Behavioral Health Unit, Emergency Department crisis services and psychiatric consultations for hospitalized patients.


Agarwal is board certified in general adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and obesity medicine. He has published research on substance use and behavioral addictions in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national conferences. His 2021 study linking gambling disorder, major depression and suicide risk was published in Addictive Behaviors and gained national attention.


Agarwal holds an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology and completed an addiction psychiatry fellowship at the Zucker Hillside Hospital. He completed his psychiatry residency and served as administrative chief resident at Einstein Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from Gauhati Medical College.


Agarwal teaches and mentors psychiatry residents and medical students as a clinical assistant professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He also co-chairs system committees and serves on the board of the Mental Health Association in Delaware.


He reports to Mustafa Mufti, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry.

Connect with:
Vishesh Agarwal, M.D.

Vishesh Agarwal, M.D.

Chair of Addiction Medicine Services, Vice Chair of Department of Psychiatry

Dr. Vishesh Agarwal is an addiction psychiatrist with a demonstrated history of working in the health care industry.

Evidence Based CareSmoking CessationBehavioral AddictionsInpatient PsychiatristAddiction Psychiatry
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

Union Hospital Earns Healthgrades 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award for Second Consecutive Year featured image

1 min

Union Hospital Earns Healthgrades 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award for Second Consecutive Year

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.

Hospitals Pursue Excellence as ChristianaCare Earns Seven Beacon Awards featured image

1 min

Hospitals Pursue Excellence as ChristianaCare Earns Seven Beacon Awards

Seven ChristianaCare nursing units have earned the AACN Beacon Award for Excellence — one of the nation’s highest honors for delivering top-quality care. This recognition comes at a time when hospitals nationwide are working to stabilize their nursing workforce, strengthen leadership and deliver consistent, high‑quality care amid ongoing burnout and staffing pressures. Interviews are available with Danielle Weber, DNP, MSM, RN BC, NEA BC, chief nurse executive at ChristianaCare, who can discuss how ChristianaCare is driving quality and setting national standards during challenging times.

Delaware Statewide Collaboration Expands Physician Pipeline with First‑of‑Its‑Kind Clinical Campus — Expert Commentary Available featured image

1 min

Delaware Statewide Collaboration Expands Physician Pipeline with First‑of‑Its‑Kind Clinical Campus — Expert Commentary Available

Delaware is taking a major step to strengthen its health care workforce. ChristianaCare, Bayhealth and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) have announced the Delaware Collaborative Clinical Campus, a first‑in‑the‑region initiative that will expand medical student training opportunities, increase residency placements and build a more sustainable pipeline of physicians committed to caring for Delawareans. This collaboration positions Delaware to attract, train and retain the clinicians our communities depend on — ensuring a stronger, more resilient health care workforce. Brian Levine, M.D., chief academic officer and designated institutional official for ChristianaCare is available for interviews to discuss: What the new clinical campus means for Delaware’s health care future How this collaboration strengthens the physician pipeline The impact on training, recruitment and long‑term retention of physicians in the state

View all posts