Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare is undertaking one of its “largest transformations” ever by implementing Epic over the course of the next year, a leader told Becker’s.
The three-hospital, $3.3 billion system is switching from Oracle Health, with plans to go live in fall 2026. The project is being led by former Epic executive Robert Hartmann, vice president of EHR transformation at ChristianaCare.
Becker’s caught up with Mr. Hartmann to learn more about the reasons for the EHR change, how the project is going and what comes next (i.e. lots of AI).
Question: Why did ChristianaCare decide to switch to Epic?
Robert Hartmann: ChristianaCare made the decision to transition to Epic to unify our systems and elevate both caregiver and patient experiences. Epic’s platform allows us to consolidate disparate workflows into a single, integrated system that supports clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and population health management. The move aligns with our values of love and excellence and positions us to deliver high-quality, equitable, and accessible care across all sites of service.
Q: Will you go live all at once? Why or why not?
RH: Yes, we plan to go live all at once. This decision reflects our commitment to operating as “One System” — a guiding principle of our implementation. A unified go-live ensures consistency in workflows, minimizes fragmentation, and accelerates adoption across the enterprise. It also allows us to fully leverage Epic’s Foundation System and best practices from Day 1.
Q: What will go into the implementation process (logistically, how many staffers involved, etc.)?
RH: This is one of the largest transformations in ChristianaCare’s history. The implementation involves:
— A phased roadmap including workflow walkthroughs, configuration, readiness, training, and post-go-live support, all mapped to detailed milestones.
— Over 200 dedicated team members across clinical, revenue cycle, technical, training, and change management workstreams.
— A devoted third-party program managing contracts and new vendor implementations for 250-plus functionalities to bring live in tandem with Epic.
— A robust governance structure including Executive Steering, Project Steer, and 11 advisory councils to guide decision-making.
— Over 1,000 caregivers actively participating in these workgroups and advisory councils.
Q: Do you plan to adopt some of the new AI tools coming out in Epic?
RH: Absolutely. We see AI as a transformative force in healthcare. Epic’s generative AI capabilities offer exciting opportunities to reimagine how caregivers interact with the EHR. We’re actively exploring how these tools — and other non-Epic related tools — can reduce documentation burden, enhance decision support, and improve patient engagement.
Q: What do you hope the new EHR will accomplish for ChristianaCare?
RH: Our goal is to deliver better care through a better caregiver experience and a better patient experience. Epic will help us:
— Improve documentation quality and clinical decision-making.
— Support preventative care and responsiveness to patient needs.
— Create a more intuitive and efficient environment for caregivers, reducing burnout and improving satisfaction.
Ultimately, this implementation is not just a technological upgrade — it’s a catalyst for transformation. It enables us to think differently, challenge the status quo, and build a future where technology empowers caregivers and patients alike.
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