Philadelphia’s most prominent health care and higher education organizations came together last year to extend a $30 million commitment to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children — fueling the hospital’s transformation from stability to growth under co-ownership by Drexel and Tower Health.
The funding from Jefferson Health, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Temple Health and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia supports St. Christopher’s critical role in maintaining the health and well-being of an underserved community.
The pledge of two-year financial support comes three years after those same groups committed almost $50 million to St. Christopher’s. The initial assistance helped provide St. Christopher’s time to develop and implement strategies to regain its financial stability following its 2019 purchase out of bankruptcy by Drexel and Tower Health. In addition, since returning to nonprofit status that year, St. Christopher’s fundraising has increased from $500,000 in 2020 to more than $4 million in 2024.
St. Christopher’s also benefited last year when Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker added it to the Philadelphia Hospital Assessment — a joint city, state and federal program that provides substantial funding to hospitals that serve a high number of patients insured by Medicaid. About 85% of St. Christopher’s patients are insured by Medicaid, which is the highest percentage of Medicaid patients served by any children’s hospital in the nation.
The results of St. Christopher’s strategic efforts, and the support received from its community partners, are evident in increased patient volume, substantial additions in staffing, clinical quality and patient safety — key indicators that the hospital is meeting its mission of delivering outstanding pediatric care to the families of Northeast Philadelphia. DM
Open doors for talented Drexel students. Your support for scholarships and financial aid removes barriers, empowers future innovators, and ensures students can pursue their ambitions regardless of financial circumstances. Give to Student Scholarships here. DM
