Virtua Health, ChristianaCare pursue new nonprofit system

Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare and Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to form a regional nonprofit health system.

The system would comprise care in more than 10 counties across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, nearly 30,000 employees, more than 600 care sites and academic programs with more than 500 fellows and residents, according to a July 16 news release. 

It would also focus on enhanced care access for behavioral health, primary and urgent care, along with a proposed maternal risk program that would support more than 15,000 births annually. 

“Our vision for this new health system  — when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open — gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors,” George Foutrakis, chair of the ChristianaCare health system board, said. 

ChristianaCare and Virtua Health will work to negotiate and sign definitive agreements while also seeking regulatory approval. Both systems will run as separate, independent parties during negotiations, the release added.

Virtua Health, a nonprofit academic system, comprises five hospitals, two freestanding emergency departments, 42 ASCs, 38 primary care locations, 30 physical therapy and rehabilitation practices and more than 400 additional sites. It employs 15,000 workers, including 3,000 affiliated clinicians and doctors.

ChristianaCare, a nonprofit teaching health system, comprises three hospitals, home health care, urgent care centers, a freestanding emergency department, a level 1 trauma center, a level 3 neonatal ICU and a comprehensive stroke center.