Featured Post from ChristianaCare

ChristianaCare Earns Third Consecutive Apex Recognition Award for Excellence in Respiratory Care

Apr 25, 2023

3 min

John Emberger, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, CPHQMichael Benninghoff, DO, MS

ChristianaCare one of only nine health systems to receive the honor for three consecutive terms


For exceptional care in ensuring patients are able to easily breathe during their hospital stay, ChristianaCare has earned its third consecutive Apex Award in the Acute Hospital category.


Conferred by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the award recognizes ChristianaCare for its “exemplary demonstration of best practices in respiratory care.”



ChristianaCare is one of only 18 health systems nationwide to earn this award and one of just nine to receive the honor for at least three consecutive terms.


As a key component of hospital care, respiratory care is an important contributor to the overall quality and safety of a hospital. For patients and their families, ChristianaCare’s continuing recognition in this category is further reassurance that the health system’s quality is among the best in the nation.


“At ChristianaCare, we commit to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow,” said John S. Emberger, BS, RRT-AACS, FAARC, CPHQ, director of Respiratory Care at ChristianaCare. “This recognition belongs to all the respiratory therapists on our team. They are committed to following evidence-based practices and to ensuring that every action they take is safe. It’s a deep privilege to lead a team so committed to our organization’s core values of love and excellence.”


ChristianaCare’s respiratory team comprises nearly 150 caregivers who provide respiratory care within hospitals and outpatient settings and manage the mechanical ventilators and artificial airways used to help ICU patients breathe. To support continuous improvement, the team rigorously measures and tracks quality, patient satisfaction, safety and operational performance. That work has made an impact that extends beyond ChristianaCare; for example, the respiratory team’s success in standardizing practices to reduce infections and inflammations that can occur in patients on ventilators was published in the peer-reviewed journal Respiratory Care.


Another key ingredient to the team’s success has been its ability to attract and retain top talent. ChristianaCare’s respiratory department is set up with clinical career ladders that provide the opportunity for caregivers to broaden their skills and responsibilities through their participation in quality improvement projects.



“Our respiratory therapists are always seeking ways to improve and grow,” said Michael Benninghoff, DO, MS, section chief for Medical Critical Care, and the medical director of respiratory care at ChristianaCare. “They have played a significant role in helping our ICUs achieve excellent outcomes in caring for many of our sickest patients. They measure their performance and continuously look for ways to innovate.”


The Apex Recognition Award was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC to recognize respiratory care departments that demonstrate high quality care.

“Respiratory care departments dedicate themselves to delivering excellent care for patients everywhere. They are a vital component to a patient’s care team, making a positive impact for the quality of patient care,” said AARC President Carl Hinkson, MSc, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, FAARC. “Earning the Apex Recognition award is a tremendous honor. It shows how these teams reach high standards and bring their specialized skills to their health care colleagues. Congratulations to ChristianaCare as one of our 2023-2024 Apex Recognition Award recipients.”


Connect with:
John Emberger, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, CPHQ

John Emberger, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, CPHQ

Director of Respiratory Care

John Emberger is the respiratory therapist and the critical care coordinator for ChristianaCare’s Respiratory Department.

Respiratory CareCritical CareMechanical Ventilation
Michael Benninghoff, DO, MS

Michael Benninghoff, DO, MS

Section Chief for Medical Critical Care

Dr. Michael Benninghoff oversees one of the nation's leading and busiest hospital intensive care units.

PulmonologyCoronavirus treatmentCritical Care MedicineIntensive Care Medicine

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ChristianaCare

2 min

Kert Anzilotti, M.D., Appointed President of the Medical Group of ChristianaCare

Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, FACR has been appointed president of the Medical Group of ChristianaCare. Anzilotti has served as interim president since June 2024. He will also continue in his role as system chief medical officer of ChristianaCare. As president of the ChristianaCare Medical Group, Anzilotti will seek to improve every aspect of care for every person the Medical Group touches. He will focus on the optimization of care delivery, strategic visioning, network development, clinical technology implementation and leveraging medical informatics. Anzilotti will continue to develop new care models that transcend settings, promote value-based care and improve the patient experience across the clinical enterprise. Among his priorities are the adoption of population health measures, the embedding of health equity into care delivery and workforce development, further expansion of access points for patients and the continuous enhancement of patient and caregiver experience. “Dr. Anzilotti is exceptionally qualified to lead the Medical Group of ChristianaCare,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “His passion for our mission and vision for the future strength of our Medical Group is unwavering. Since joining ChristianaCare in 2011, Dr. Anzilotti has earned a well-deserved reputation as a thoughtful and collaborative leader.” Anzilotti has served in numerous leadership roles at ChristianaCare, including as chief medical officer, acute care; chair of the Department of Radiology; medical director of Imaging Services; and physician leader of the Neurosciences Service Line. He also previously served as Interim President and CEO for the eBrightHealth ACO with responsibility for physician leadership and network operations. He is board certified in Neuroradiology. “Over the many years I have been at ChristianaCare, I have had the privilege of witnessing the dedication and compassion of my Medical Group colleagues as we served together with love and excellence,” Anzilotti said. “I am honored to lead this incredible, dynamic group that is reshaping the future of care, ensuring everyone we serve can achieve their best health.” Anzilotti earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He earned his MBA at the University of Delaware, completed the Managing Health Care Delivery Course at Harvard Business School and graduated as Physician Executive Fellow in the Health Management Academy, GE Fellows Program. The Medical Group of ChristianaCare consists of over 2,200 dedicated doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other caregivers. This highly skilled team delivers exceptional care through ChristianaCare’s community-based primary care and specialty care practices serving Delaware and surrounding states. Additionally, the Medical Group collaborates with ChristianaCare hospitalists to ensure seamless continuity of care for our patients, from primary care to hospital care and back again.

3 min

ChristianaCare and Partners Launch Delaware’s First Nurse Anesthesiology Program

Wilmington University, in collaboration with ChristianaCare and the support of Anesthesia Services, P.A. (ASPA), announces the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ChristianaCare and Wilmington University, Delaware’s first nurse anesthesiology program. This innovative, full-time, 36-month offering leads to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, preparing graduates to sit for the National Certification Exam and become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). A CRNA (or nurse anesthetist) is an advanced practice registered nurse who administers anesthesia and provides related care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. The program will offer students over 2,000 hours of hands-on clinical experience in high-acuity environments across various surgical specialties, supported by partnerships with ChristianaCare, ASPA—the largest anesthesia group in Delaware—as well as other health care organizations. Students will refine their clinical skills and decision-making in state-of-the-art simulation labs while engaging in diverse clinical settings. Led by experienced practitioners and educators, the curriculum integrates anesthesiology-specific coursework with advanced nursing practice, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of clinical practice and systemic health care challenges. “We are proud to partner with ChristianaCare and ASPA to launch this transformative program,” says Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne Harmon. “At Wilmington University, our caring, student-centered approach prioritizes academic excellence and personal well-being. While this initiative addresses Delaware’s critical need for anesthesiology professionals, we will focus equally on fostering an environment where students can excel and grow into compassionate, skilled leaders in the evolving health care field.” “ChristianaCare is excited to partner with Wilmington University and our colleagues at ASPA in this much needed program to help address Delaware’s growing need for highly qualified CRNAs,” says Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “By providing advanced training and education in anesthesiology services, we are helping to develop the next generation of health care experts who will serve our community with high-quality, safe care.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 38% growth in nurse anesthetist employment from 2022 to 2032, driven by increased demand for health care services like elective surgeries. Delaware’s health care system faces similar challenges due to a shortage of anesthesiologists and CRNAs, with many nearing retirements. With 15 programs in neighboring Pennsylvania unable to accommodate all qualified applicants, the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ChristianaCare and Wilmington University aims to bridge this gap, providing essential local training to meet the growing demand in the workforce. “With an emphasis on evidence-based practice and patient-centered care, our graduates will be exceptionally equipped to provide high-quality anesthesiology services in diverse health care environments,” says Wilmington University Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Denise Wells. “This collaboration aims to cultivate a local pipeline of skilled registered nurses who will advance their careers as CRNAs, contributing to Delaware’s workforce and the surrounding region.” “Anesthesia Services, P.A. has been leading and innovating anesthesia care delivery in Delaware for the past 37 years,” says ASPA Board Chair Li Maceda, M.D., MBA. “This joint partnership with ChristianaCare and Wilmington University allows us to combine our expertise and resources to train the next generation of anesthesia providers for the communities that we serve and exemplifies our commitment to invest in the future advancement of perioperative care.” Dr. Jacqueline Mainwaring was recently named inaugural director of the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ChristianaCare and Wilmington University. “I am excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative that will provide critical care nurses in our state with the opportunity to advance their careers and become leaders in anesthesiology care,” says Dr. Mainwaring, also an associate professor. “We are committed to creating a high-quality program that prepares our graduates to excel in today’s complex health care landscape. This program will not only address the shortage of anesthesiology professionals in Delaware and the region but will foster a learning environment that emphasizes student well-being, clinical excellence, and interprofessional collaboration.” Leaders of the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ChristianaCare and Wilmington University, currently in Capability Review, are pursuing initial accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Please note, no students can be enrolled until initial accreditation has been awarded. Below is contact information for the COA: Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) 10275 W. Higgins, Suite 906 Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 224-275-9130 Email: accreditation@coacrna.org www.coacrna.org

3 min

‘Game-Changing’ Adaptive Radiation Therapy Program Will Enhance Treatments for Cancer Patients at ChristianaCare

Patients undergoing radiation therapy for certain types of cancer at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute will be the first in Delaware to benefit from a cutting-edge treatment system that increases accuracy and precision, enhances patient comfort and minimizes side effects. ChristianaCare expects to begin scheduling patients in early 2026 to receive treatment with the Varian Ethos™ system equipped with HyperSight. The innovative radiotherapy system leverages artificial intelligence and the fastest on-table imaging in the field to enhance precision and increase the likelihood of effectively treating tumors. “As leaders in cancer treatment and care, we continually strive to stay at the forefront of medicine for our patients, and this new technology is a game-changer,” said Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute. “Adaptive radiation therapy enables members of the patient’s treatment team to create a new treatment plan every day in real-time based on the patient’s needs and anatomy in that moment as well as any changes observed during their therapy.” In traditional radiotherapy, a plan is established at the beginning of treatment and followed through the treatment course. Adaptive radiotherapy allows for real-time modifications to the plan based on periodic assessments while the patient is on the radiation table. Human anatomy changes quickly through normal bodily function even during treatment. In the context of radiation therapy, even slight shifts or alterations in the body while being treated can significantly impact effectiveness. The advanced technology in the system enables real-time imaging on the radiation table to be completed in seconds, rather than minutes – a dramatic improvement that transforms targeting accuracy and patient comfort. “This advancement will allow us to deliver personalized treatments, enabling radiation oncologists to make necessary treatment decisions even more quickly and accurately,” said Lindsay Romak, M.D., radiation oncologist at the Graham Cancer Center. “This will provide clinically meaningful benefits for patients who require radiotherapy for a wide range of cancers, including those of the prostate, bladder, abdomen and head and neck.” Artificial intelligence powers patient treatments Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to capture and analyze rapid images in real time, the technology quickly detects changes in the patient’s anatomy and tumor size, shape or position. Using real-time imaging data, the system automatically suggests adjustments to the treatment plan to account for these changes, which is key to achieving better patient outcomes. The system also uses artificial intelligence when determining the distribution of the radiation dose, ensuring the tumor receives the optimal amount of radiation. This streamlines the workflow making the entire process of adaptive radiotherapy more efficient. "The integration of artificial intelligence into our treatment processes underscores our dedication to incorporating the most innovative treatments for our patients. With this technology, our patients can anticipate shorter treatment times and potentially fewer sessions, significantly enhancing their overall experience,” Laura Doyle, Ph.D., chief clinical physicist at the Graham Cancer Center said. Adaptive radiation therapy is covered by Medicare and most insurance carriers. The system will be located in the radiation oncology suite at the Graham Cancer Center. Equipment installation is expected in the fall of 2025 with patient use starting in early 2026. ChristianaCare’s Radiation Oncology Department is recognized by the American Society of Radiation Oncology Accreditation Program for Excellence. Its radiation oncologists are leaders in adapting the very latest imaging and treatment advances into clinical practice. The team also helps write the standards for best practices in care delivery and teaches other doctors and health care professionals in this specialty. With this latest advancement, ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute continues to solidify its position at the forefront of cancer care in Delaware and beyond, underscoring its commitment to improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

View all posts
Powered by