What health systems need to support strategic initiatives
In late May, Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare shared plans to purchase five outpatient locations in Pennsylvania from Upland, Pa.-based Crozer Health Pennsylvania for $50.3 million.
The purchase comes after Crozer shared plans to close and lay off its employees in late April. Crozer shut down its Ridley Park, Pa.-based Taylor Hospital on April 26 and its Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland on May 2.
ChristianaCare’s acquisition included one facility in Broomall, one in Havertown, two in Glen Mills and one in Media, Pa. The locations will complete the health system’s new campuses and neighborhood hospitals being constructed in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Becker’s connected with Jennifer Schwartz, chief strategy and legal officer for ChristianaCare, to discuss how the acquisition fits into the system’s broader effort to create a connected network of care, grow services based on community needs and deepen regional impact through legal guidance and targeted investment.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: How does this acquisition support ChristianaCare’s long-term growth strategy in the region?
Jennifer Schwartz: These facilities will accelerate our strategy to expand convenient care in the communities we serve, keeping care close to home or even in the home. These facilities will become part of the network of care that we are building in Southeastern Pennsylvania anchored by our new campuses and neighborhood hospitals coming to West Grove, Aston and Springfield.
At the same time, we continue to make investments in Delaware and Maryland to bring new treatments and technologies and create new access to care throughout the communities we serve.
Q: How are you deciding which services to continue or grow at the new site?
JS: Our goal is to keep these sites open and provide care that’s aligned to community needs. ChristianaCare is actively assessing the programs and services that are provided at these outpatient centers to determine which services to continue, restart or grow.
Q: What role does legal strategy play in successful acquisitions like this one?
JS: The ability to combine legal expertise with strategic acumen is essential. Every health system should have a great legal team able to support its strategic initiatives.
Q: What opportunities do you see next for ChristianaCare to deepen its regional impact?
JS: We will continue to look for opportunities in our region to further our mission of caring for more and more of our neighbors by expanding the availability of convenient, high-quality care.