Residency reborn: the bold move that kept care alive in Delaware County

When Crozer Health announced its bankruptcy and impending shutdown, Gaby Borodyansky, DO, and her fellow family medicine residents faced the sudden threat of losing both their training and their ability to care for thousands of vulnerable patients in Delaware County, PA. Crozer’s residency program served as a vital lifeline for nearly 25,000 low-income patients, many of whom relied on Medicaid and had limited access to other health care options. The closure would have scattered the residents to other programs, disrupting continuity of care and leaving communities without essential medical support.

Despite months of uncertainty and emotional strain, the residents remained committed to their patients, continuing to provide care with limited resources. Their dedication paid off when Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital stepped in to adopt the residency program, allowing the residents to stay together and continue serving the same communities. The transition, which occurred more than a year ahead of schedule, was a testament to the resilience and passion of the residents, who refused to abandon the patients who depended on them.

Leaders from both institutions worked tirelessly to transfer accreditation, renovate facilities, and onboard residents, ensuring continuity of care for thousands of patients in Delaware County. The hospital’s flexibility and commitment to primary care made the transition possible, with over 70 staff members working around the clock to make the residents feel at home and operational within weeks.

“The practice of medicine and medical education are all team sports. This was the most striking example of teamwork I’ve ever been involved with,” said John Sheffield, M.D., program director for the new Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital family medicine residency program.

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