People to Watch: Delaware’s health care leaders

Delaware’s health care leaders

Some have been leading hospitals for years. Others came on the job amid the pandemic. But right now, all eyes are on Delaware’s hospital leaders as we enter in the ninth month of the pandemic.

Longtime leaders like ChristianaCare President and CEO Dr. Janice Nevin and Bayhealth President and CEO Terry Murphy led the way in early calls to action, reserving hospital beds for critical patients and planning drive-thru testing to provide a steady hand during turbulent times. 

Meanwhile, the year brought significant changes to other hospitals in remarkable times. Dr. David Tam, tapped to lead Beebe Healthcare, came on the job early and brought high visibility to health care workers’ response in Sussex County. Saint Francis Healthcare President and CEO Brandon Harvath stepped into the post mid-year and contended with maintaining operations in Wilmington. TidalHealth Nanticoke, having completed its merger with the former Peninsula Regional Health System, invigorated the Seaford hospital with the backing of one of the larger hospital systems in Delmarva.

Many health leaders, doctors and nurses are asked to do more with less revenue and more stress on resources. As the threat of virus spreads throughout the winter, the stakes are higher than ever. Just this month, the first Delaware nurse received the Pfizer vaccine at Bayhealth. As hundreds more health care workers are immunized, the hospital leaders will have to turn to the next task at hand: convincing Delawareans to get the vaccine to end the pandemic while continuing to fight for the life of every patient.