ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has received the Association of Community Cancer Center’s (ACCC) 2022 Innovator Award for its person-centered model of care which embeds a primary care provider in the cancer center for patients undergoing treatment who do not have a primary care provider.

The Graham Cancer Center located in Newark, Delaware is among the first cancer programs in the nation to offer a program of this kind to patients.

“Earning the prestigious ACCC Innovator Award for our primary care practice is an accomplishment that belongs to our entire cancer care team, which has worked long and hard to develop this unique program designed to improve our patients’ long-term health,” said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Primary Care for Cancer Patients

Patients diagnosed with cancer frequently have one or more concurrent chronic diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, COPD or diabetes.

Cancer treatment can make these chronic medical problems worse, so it is important for patients to continue to see a primary care provider during their treatment, which can also help eliminate unnecessary emergency department visits.

The new primary care practice builds on the success of the Graham Cancer Center’s Oncology Express Unit, a program that offers urgent care to cancer patients in distress during treatment.

“We conducted an informal survey that found as many as 15% of our patients did not have their own primary care provider,” said Cancer Program Clinical Director Cindy Waddington, MSN, RN, AOCN.

“Having a primary care provider onsite working closely with the entire cancer care team helps ensure that essential patient care beyond cancer treatment is not delayed,” Waddington said.

Patients are referred to the practice by their oncologists for any non-cancer health concerns. Since opening in January 2021, the program has received referrals to care for 234 patients.

“Primary care in oncology has been a long-standing challenge for cancer patients and cancer programs,” said Family Nurse Practitioner Debra Delaney, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, FNP-BC, who provides primary care services at the Graham Cancer Center.

“Thankfully, we’ve been able to solve that challenge by addressing the whole person and promoting healthy living for the long-term.”

Delaney helps patients manage their chronic medical conditions by monitoring their labs, refilling prescriptions and coordinating and communicating about any referrals they many need.

“Following their cancer treatment, we help our patients transition to another practice, so they can continue to receive care for their primary care needs,” she said.

The ACCC featured the program on its BuzzBlog.

According to the ACCC, Innovator Award winners demonstrate the ability to advance the goals of improving access, quality and value in cancer care delivery, while also providing replicable solutions for other cancer programs and practices.

Today ChristianaCare opened a new 14-bed Pediatric Care Center that provides 24/7 combined short-stay inpatient and emergency care for children and teens. The new center is located on the first floor of the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health on ChristianaCare’s Newark Campus.

“This new facility is an exciting step in our continued journey to create the absolute best care for children and families in our community,” said David Paul, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

“The Pediatric Care Center will significantly improve access to care for children, enhance the patient experience and address the needs of families who want high-quality care in a child-friendly environment.”

• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Kid-friendly setting designed specifically for children and teens, separate from the adult ER.
  14 patient beds providing emergency, short-stay inpatient, and observation care.
• Emergency care for children under 18.
• Caring, expert pediatric hospitalists, pediatric urgent care and pediatric emergency care physicians.
• Evaluation of children and adolescents with mental health concerns and give appropriate referral sources for follow-up care.
• X-ray, ultrasound and other diagnostics.

The 24-hour Pediatric Care Center will be able to evaluate and manage 90% of the pediatric cases currently seen in the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department. The center expects to care for an estimated 6,300 patients the first year, with volume projected to grow 5% each year.

The Pediatric Care Center also provides expert care to children and adolescents with behavioral health emergency needs and appropriate referral sources for follow-up care.

“Our new Pediatric Care Center makes it easier than ever for families and children to receive excellent care when they need it, in a special space designed just for them,” said Sharon Kurfuerst, Ed.D., OTR/L, FACHE, system chief operating officer at ChristianaCare and President, Union Hospital.

“The center will care for the special needs of pediatric patients, making it convenient for them to receive dedicated, expert resources for hospital-based, non-trauma emergency and inpatient care all in one location.”

The 8,400 square-foot facility provides 14 beds for emergency and short-stay inpatient and observation care.

“We offer 24/7 pediatric emergency care 365 days a year,” said Megan Mickley, M.D., MBA, FAAP, FACEP, medical director, who is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and fellowship-trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Emergency Ultrasound.

“The Pediatric Care Center team is a diverse, multidisciplinary group led by pediatric physicians trained in a variety of backgrounds, including emergency medicine and hospital medicine,” she said.

“Our goals are not only to provide exceptional quality of care for children, but also to improve access to and expand pediatric care services for our neighbors. We look forward to being a trusted partner for pediatric care in our community.”

LEWES (Sept. 28, 2022) – Beebe Healthcare is excited to announce Beebe Medical Group’s next Primary Care location conveniently located at “Bayside Corner” at the intersection of Routes 54 and 20 in Selbyville. The exterior structure is in the process of being built with a tentative opening in mid-2023.

Beebe Primary Care Selbyville is expected to have 10 exam rooms, which would allow for approximately five primary care providers. The goal is to create increased same-day sick visit access for established Beebe primary care patients and have extended hours of operation.

“Beebe Medical Group is excited to expand primary care access in our South Coastal area,” said Christina Onolaja, Director of Primary Care for Beebe Medical Group. “Our Medical Group continues to grow, and we are committed to increasing access to high quality care that’s close to home for the people of Sussex County.

More information will be available as construction is finished. If community members are looking for a primary care provider, they can call 302-645-3332 to find a Beebe provider accepting patients.

“Beebe Healthcare has developed our strategic plan that looks at how we provide comprehensive care throughout Sussex County,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “That includes Selbyville and the South Coastal area, so we are so thrilled to bring this location to the community thanks to some great partnerships.”

“Bayside Corner” is across from the Bayside community and is being developed by the Carl M. Freeman Companies.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Beebe Healthcare to Bayside Corner,” said Nick Freeman, Vice President of Commercial and Hospitality for the Carl M. Freeman Companies. “Beebe’s commitment to serving the community aligns with our mission of creating retail spaces that best serve the area’s needs. Proximity to healthcare benefits not only our residents at Bayside, but the neighboring communities.”

Beebe Medical Group includes 20-plus specialty offices in more than 40 office locations throughout Sussex County. When patients see providers that are within the Beebe Medical Group, they enjoy the experience of seamless electronic medical correspondence between office visits, outpatient facilities, and the hospital.

Practices include the specialties of: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, General and Bariatric Surgery, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Neurology, Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders, Surgical Oncology, Urology, and Women’s Healthcare.

Four Walk-in Care Centers serve the community in Rehoboth Beach, Georgetown, Millsboro, and Millville from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Beebe Healthcare is a not-for-profit community healthcare system with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health for the people who live in, work in, and visit the communities we serve. Beebe Healthcare has three campuses: the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus, which houses the medical center; the Rehoboth Health Campus; and the South Coastal Health Campus. Beebe Healthcare offers primary care as well as specialized services in the areas of cardiovascular, oncology, orthopaedics, general surgery, robotic surgery and women’s health. Beebe also offers walk-in care, lab, imaging and physical rehabilitation services at several locations throughout Sussex County, in addition to a home health program and a comprehensive community health program.

For more information about Beebe Healthcare, visit beebehealthcare.org.

For 75 years Carl M. Freeman Companies has created places that enrich lives through their innovative and inviting places to live, work, shop and play. The company has developed and managed more than five million square feet of commercial space for shopping center and office use, servicing more than 1.1 million square feet of retail and built award-winning beachfront and golf course communities.

LEWES, Del. – Beebe Healthcare is proud to present its first annual Pulmonary Health and Illnesses of the Lungs (PHIL) Award to Nancy Collick, a respiratory therapist who has served Sussex County for over 30 years. Collick is recognized as a valuable leader within Beebe’s respiratory and emergency departments; someone who provides clinical excellence for patients while treating everyone who surrounds her with kindness and compassion.

The PHIL Award is a nationally recognized hospital-based program that honors respiratory therapists who provide outstanding care and treatment for patients with life-threatening pulmonary illnesses. It was created in 2006 by the family of Philip C. Lamka, who was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and courageously battled his condition for three years. Their foundation, FACES, aims to give hope to patients facing life-threatening lung diseases while celebrating the respiratory therapists who bravely care for them. The PHIL Award is presented annually to one respiratory therapist at each participating hospital who demonstrates genuine dedication to their practice, with an understanding that each breath matters. Nominations are accepted from clinical providers, hospital leadership, and patients.

“Nancy is an unsung hero who has earned a reputation as being among the ‘best of the best’ here at Beebe,” said Chris Steele, EKG, EEG, Director of Respiratory Therapy. “She is always smiling and carries a positive attitude that brightens people’s days. Her dedication shines brightly and was especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nancy regularly covered extra shifts and worked overtime to assure our patients in need were taken care of. She is an irreplaceable part of our team.”

As winner of the first annual PHIL Award, Collick received the FACES Foundation’s appreciation sculpture, along with paid tuition to attend a professional conference in Delaware.

“Nancy serves as an incredible role model for her colleagues in Respiratory Therapy, the Emergency Department, and for all members of the Beebe Healthcare team,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO of Beebe Healthcare. “She is a skilled clinician with a long history of providing excellent care to every patient she encounters. She is truly deserving of this award.”

Featured Image (l-r): Dr. David Tam, President & CEO; Nancy Collick, Respiratory Therapist; Chris Steele, Respiratory Director; Tom Protack, Beebe Foundation President; Dan Mapes, Executive Director of Diagnostic and Satellite Services.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney on Tuesday announced a family-friendly career fair for youth and adults to explore careers in construction, health care, education, public service, and more. The Governor’s Central Delaware Career Expo is a one-day event on September 21 that will expose middle school students, and adults looking for a career change, to training programs and career paths in many high-demand industries. The Expo will be held at the Blue Hen Corporate Complex in Dover.

“We currently have more jobs available than we have people looking for work, and that’s a great outlook for folks looking for a career,” said Governor Carney. “We hope the Central Delaware Career Expo will connect Delawareans with in-demand careers and training opportunities to strengthen Delaware’s workforce.”

This event will showcase a variety of central Delaware’s fastest growing industries to middle and high school students just beginning to explore local career opportunities, as well as adults looking to start a new career and/or re-enter the workforce.

The student portion of the event, held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., will feature interactive presentations and activities geared towards giving students a first-hand experience of what they can expect from their fields of interest. The student portion of the expo is organized by school districts and charter schools, and is invitation only.

“As a local superintendent, I am excited to assist in planning the Governor’s Central Delaware Career Expo. We have designed a fun, interactive, and informative event to support our community’s workforce and employers across a range of career areas,” said Amelia E. Hodges, Ed.D., Superintendent of the POLYTECH School District. “It will be a great opportunity for local students and adults to connect directly with central Delaware employers and workforce training options as they plan for a career or take the next step in their current career.”

The 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. portion of the event will be open to everyone in the community, but with more of a focus on adults seeking career opportunities.

“As the executive Director of the Greater Kent Committee I am thrilled to be a partner organization of the Governor’s Career Expo,” said Shelly Cecchett, Executive Director of the Greater Kent Committee. “The opportunity to connect young people with high demand careers and to connect adults with pathways to upskill their current profession is incredibly important to our business community as well as our workforce. This hands on event should truly showcase the workforce opportunities in Central Delaware.”

Featured industries include construction, health care, education, transportation, manufacturing, public service, and more.

Visit Governor Carney’s website for more information about the Central Delaware Career Expo.