Home

One State. Endless Arts 4
DDPHT40362 Cessation Banner Ad

Milford Obituaries

  • Service for Willie James Buchann on July 8th at 11:00 at Berry-Short Funeral Home md

      Willie James Buchanan February 3, 1938 — June 27, 2025 Milford, DE – Willie James Buchanan, born on February 3, 1938, in Yanceyville, NC, passed away on June 27, 2025, at his residence in Milford, DE, under the care of VITAS Hospice. He enjoyed a remarkable career that began as a laborer at Mil-Del, Inc. and culminated in over 50 years as the plant manager. Willie cherished his time spent gardening, building lawn mowers, woodworking, and constructing birdhouses. He is survived by his son, Robert Dale Buchanan, and caregiver, Arlina Escarte. Willie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty J. Buchanan, who passed away in 2023, as well as his son, David W. Buchanan, and brothers Eugene and Jimmy Buchanan. Viewing will be held on July 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Berry-Short Funeral Homes in Milford, DE. Funeral service will follow from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Interment will take place at Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, DE, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willie James Buchanan, please visit our flower store.

DDPHT40362 Cessation Banner Ad
Annaul Meeting 2025 e1751055651835
dpp 300x500 002 1

Meet Our Healthcare People

  • Bayhealth’s Amanda Long, RN, Earns DAISY Ethics Award for Providing Compassionate Care Amanda Long Bay Health scaled e1751050080959

    June 27, 2025 – Bayhealth’s Kent Campus recognized Amanda Long, RN, as its May 2025 DAISY Ethics Award winner. This national award program recognizes the extraordinary compassion and care nurses provide to their patients and families every day. Long is a nurse in the Patient Care Med/Surg department and was nominated by attending physician Daniel Uibel, MD. “Amanda went above and beyond to show compassion to one of our patients and truly changed this patient’s life. Her consistent support and dedication have shown this patient that she has value and gave the patient a new outlook on her self-worth,” said Dr. Uibel. When a delicate bedside approach was needed, Amanda stepped up with compassion and creativity. She built trust with a fearful patient by talking with her, holding her hands, printing photos of doctors and labeling them ‘good’ so the patient felt safe during her stay, adds. Dr. Uibel. The DAISY Award is given by the DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. DAISY Award honorees are chosen by nurses, administrators, peers, physicians, volunteers, patients and families. If you know a Bayhealth nurse who deserves to be nominated, visit Bayhealth.org/DAISY and fill out the nomination form. Image Caption: Bayhealth’s Amanda Long, RN, receives DAISY Ethics Award for providing compassionate care  

  • Milford Unites Around Hunger and Health at Food Bank Community Summit Arden Poster October

    MILFORD, Del. — June 25, 2025 — A spirit of collaboration and compassion was on full display yesterday at the Food Bank of Delaware in Milford, where a diverse coalition of nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers gathered for a powerful day of action addressing food insecurity and community wellness. The event served as both a regional hunger summit and a celebration of Highmark Health Options’ (HHO) 10-year anniversary. HHO marked the milestone by hosting a free Community Health and Wellness event, bringing together more than 100 attendees to access essential resources, educational tools, and support services. “This was more than an event—it was a demonstration of what happens when a community cares enough to take action,” said one participant. “We saw partnerships at work and a shared commitment to helping our neighbors thrive.” HHO employees volunteered throughout the day, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to holistic care. Community members received food boxes, women’s and girls’ clothing items—including socks, bras, and menstrual health kits—along with health education materials, Narcan training, and onsite screenings. “Being present and active in the communities we serve—not only through our brand, but through our people—makes a difference in the quality of care we help provide,” said Todd Graham, president of Highmark Health Options. “We are thankful for the nonprofits, elected officials and community members who joined us to celebrate our 10-year anniversary and found value in the services and resources on site.” Participating organizations included Network Connect, Delaware Readiness Teams, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, I Support the Girls, OutLoud DE, Cornerstone Community Center, and the Delaware Health and Social Services Mobile Van. Alongside HHO’s anniversary celebration, the Food Bank of Delaware hosted workshops and strategy sessions focused on ending hunger in Kent and Sussex counties. Leaders from healthcare, schools, social services, and faith communities discussed ways to align efforts and resources for greater impact. Food Bank President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky praised the day’s turnout and tone. “No single group can solve hunger alone,” she said. “But when we come together—like we did here in Milford—we can create lasting solutions rooted in dignity, compassion, and community.” Together, the day’s events underscored a hopeful message: that when organizations unite with purpose, meaningful change isn’t just possible—it’s already happening in Milford.

  • Bayhealth Appoints Dr. Angela Debo as Family Medicine Residency Program Director DeboA 2250 Approved web scaled

    Bayhealth has officially named Dr. Angela Debo, DO as the new program director of its Family Medicine Residency Program, following her service in the role on an interim basis since July 2024. Her appointment comes after a competitive selection process involving both internal and external candidates. In her new leadership role, Dr. Debo will oversee the clinical and didactic training for the program’s 24 family medicine residents and supervise a team of faculty members who play a vital role in resident education and development. “Bayhealth congratulates Dr. Debo on her official appointment and we look forward to the continued excellence and innovation she will bring to the residency program,” said Dr. Gary Siegelman, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Bayhealth. Since stepping into the interim role, Dr. Debo has launched several new initiatives and process improvements that have enhanced collaboration and engagement among residents and faculty. Her leadership has been praised for its emphasis on professional development and for fostering a positive, team-oriented learning environment. READ MORE: County Bank Welcomes Cody Bristow as New Vice President – Commercial Loan Officer Dr. Debo expressed her enthusiasm for the role, noting the program’s commitment to preparing residents for full-spectrum family medicine, including both inpatient and outpatient care for patients of all ages. “At our state-of-the-art outpatient practice, residents have the opportunity to lead quality improvement projects and contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance patient care and make a meaningful impact,” she said. Dr. Debo earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and joined Bayhealth in December 2021. Prior to that, she served as an assistant professor and clerkship site director at Penn State Health. She is also currently participating in advanced leadership training for senior family medicine faculty, underscoring her commitment to medical education and continuous improvement. To learn more about Dr. Debo and the Bayhealth Family Medicine Residency Program, visit Bayhealth.org.

  • ChristianaCare celebrates first graduates of Robotics Nursing Fellowship The first four graduates of the Nursing Research Fellowship in Robotics and Innovation with Moxi, ChristianaCare's collaborative robot (cobot). (From left to right) Morgan Tallo, Briana Abernathy, Liza Mitchell, and Hannah Rackie. (Photo provided by ChristianaCare)

    ChristianaCare has become the first health system in the country to offer a robotics-focused research fellowship led by bedside nurses, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at integrating advanced technology into clinical practice. On April 30, the health system honored the first four nurses to complete the Nursing Research Fellowship in Robotics and Innovation, a program developed under a $1.5 million grant from the American Nurses Foundation’s Reimagining Nursing Initiative. The fellowship is part of ChristianaCare’s broader three-year study examining the role of collaborative robots in nursing. Over an eight-month period, nurses from a range of specialties received intensive training in research methodology. Their work culminated in presentations at national conferences and efforts toward academic journal submissions. The inaugural fellows were Briana Abernathy, Elizabeth Mitchell, Hannah Rackie, and Morgan Tallo — all practicing nurses at ChristianaCare facilities. Their projects explored how robotics could support clinical workflows and reduce strain on nursing staff. RELATED STORY: ChristianaCare appoints new leaders for Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics “When you create programs that empower nurses to lead, innovate and tackle meaningful challenges, you see real impact — not just in new skills and knowledge, but in job satisfaction, well-being and retention,” said Susan Smith Birkhoff, Ph.D., RN, who created and led the fellowship as ChristianaCare’s program director of Technology Research & Education. The fellowship allowed participants to step away from daily clinical duties and engage in hands-on research. While only four nurses were directly involved, they shared their learning with colleagues across the health system, encouraging broader engagement with research and innovation. The initiative has already gained national recognition. It was highlighted as a model of innovation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center during its evaluation of ChristianaCare, which recently earned its fourth Magnet designation.  “What makes this fellowship stand out is its focus on giving bedside nurses a real seat at the table,” said Adriane Griffen, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, vice president of programs at the American Nurses Foundation. RELATED STORY: ChristianaCare ICU units earn National Beacon Awards for excellence in critical-care nursing “When nurses are trusted to lead and have the right support, they develop solutions that are practical, sustainable and transformative,” she said. “This fellowship shows how nurse-led innovation can grow from a local pilot into a model for improving care across the country.” Danielle Weber, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, ChristianaCare’s chief nurse executive, said the program reflects the system’s broader commitment to nurse-driven innovation. “Innovation is about improving care, easing the burdens on our teams and finding smarter ways to meet the complex needs of our patients,” Weber said. “Tools like collaborative robots don’t replace the human touch, they help protect and elevate it.” ChristianaCare plans to continue its robotics research, with results from the ongoing multi-year study expected later this year. 

division of small business june july 2 e1751053368280
300x500 banner 11
SLA 25 728 x 180 px 2 002