After prolonged efforts to keep it afloat, Crozer Health is set to shut down operations, with closures of Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park expected as early as May 2. The announcement follows a bankruptcy court filing by its parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, and comes despite significant financial injections from local entities intended to sustain the hospital system temporarily.
The shutdown will impact an estimated 3,000 employees, including nearly 400 registered nurses, and will force patients in Delaware County to travel much farther for critical care. The timeline, which began unfolding this week, includes immediate steps such as diverting emergency patients, cancelling outpatient appointments after April 25, and ending elective services. Ambulatory services will cease on April 28, with full closure expected shortly thereafter.
“This is more than just a hospital closing—it’s a health crisis,” said Peggy Malone, President of the Crozer Nurses Association. “People with trauma, strokes, or heart attacks won’t survive a 30-minute drive for care.”
A Swift and Controversial Shutdown Draws Criticism
The speed of Crozer Health closure has drawn outrage from local leaders and healthcare workers. Pennsylvania State Representative Leanne Krueger criticized the process, calling it “faster than what the regulations permit,” and demanded accountability from Prospect and its former owners. “They’ve extracted hundreds of millions from this system. Now they must be held responsible,” she added.
Efforts to rescue the health network included a $5 million donation from the University of Pennsylvania and an additional $1 million from Delaware County. These funds were meant to sustain operations for one more week while stakeholders searched for long-term solutions. However, just days after receiving the support, CEO Tony Esposito stepped down, marking the end of his five-year tenure at the helm.
The closure plan, now in motion, involves regulatory filings, patient notifications, and collaboration with nearby healthcare systems to ensure the smooth discharge or transfer of current patients. Additionally, Prospect will manage the secure storage and accessibility of medical records and ensure proper disposal of medical waste in compliance with health and environmental laws.
A Community in Mourning and Search for Answers
The announcement has left healthcare workers, patients, and local residents reeling. Emotional scenes played out across hospital grounds as staff and former patients tried to process the loss. Among them was Dejauna Leath, a colon cancer survivor who was treated at Crozer-Chester Medical Center a decade ago. “It’s just crazy to know that we’re not going to have this hospital,” she said through tears.
The Delaware County Legislative Delegation issued a strong statement condemning the decision, calling it a “devastating and disgraceful blow” to the community. They emphasized the vital role the health system has played for decades and decried the lack of federal and state support compared to bailouts in other industries.
As Crozer Health prepares for its final days, community leaders continue to press for accountability, transparency, and emergency alternatives to fill the healthcare void the closure will leave behind.
