Saint Francis Healthcare and University of Delaware Announce New Partnership

Saint Francis Healthcare has committed to becoming the Official Hospital of University of Delaware Athletics for the next three years. The partnership, which was brokered by IMG, the university’s multimedia rights partner, coincides with Saint Francis Healthcare’s 90-year anniversary of serving Delawareans.

This initiative complements an already existing collaboration between Saint Francis Healthcare and University of Delaware to provide clinical experiences for undergraduate nursing students and post-graduate nurse practitioner students. Saint Francis Healthcare is proud to employ many University of Delaware alumni and supports those currently pursing studies at the University of Delaware through tuition reimbursement.

“I am very proud of what we continue to accomplish at Saint Francis Healthcare. We are expanding and enhancing our capabilities through strategic partnerships. Sponsoring the University of Delaware Athletics program creates a natural extension of our new era of growth,” said Brian E. Dietz, FACHE, president and CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare. “Both organizations are long-standing contributors to the quality of life in Delaware today, and we are dedicated to Creating a Healthy Future for patients, many of whom are alumni, family members, and students.”

“As the presenting sponsor of the Future Hens Clubs, we are thrilled to collaborate with University of Delaware Blue Hens Athletics to touch the lives of families and future Hens as we look forward to serving the community for 90 plus years to come,” said Sally Bittel Thomas, vice president of the Saint Francis Foundation & Marketing. “When this opportunity was presented, it was clear that the goals of both organizations are closely aligned when giving back to the community.”

“We take the opportunity and responsibility to represent the State of Delaware very seriously, and we are thrilled to partner with an organization with nine decades of service to the people of this great state,” said Eric Ziady, director of athletics at University of Delaware. “We look forward to an exciting future with Saint Francis Healthcare to develop programs that can further give back to the Delaware community.”

"Saint Francis Healthcare has a very strong history of giving back to our community, so it is fitting they will become one of the top-tier partners supporting Delaware Athletics," said Lucas Kraut, general manager of Blue Hens IMG Sports Marketing.

ABOUT SAINT FRANCIS HEALTHCARE

Saint Francis Healthcare, a member of CHE Trinity Health, operates Delaware’s only Catholic hospital serving Wilmington and Northern New Castle County since 1924. Services provided include the Saint Francis Cardiovascular Services , 24-hour Emergency Services, Ambulance Service, Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, the da Vinci™ Surgical System, Gastroenterology Services, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Advanced Wound Center, Imaging Services, Sleep/Neurodiagnostics Center, Home Care, Outpatient Physical Therapy, Comprehensive Women’s Health Services and three community outreach programs. Saint Francis Healthcare is affiliated with the Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis LIFE (Living Independently for Elders), a PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) model.