Millsboro — TidalHealth today broke ground on its highly anticipated Millsboro North Campus, a transformative 150,000-square-foot healthcare complex that will stand as the health system’s largest outpatient facility.
Conveniently located near the intersection of Routes 113 and 20 in Millsboro, Delaware, the new campus will expand access to high-quality care for residents of Sussex County and the surrounding region.
This milestone groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on the first of three planned buildings. Once completed in 18 to 24 months, this initial structure will house a new TidalHealth Primary and Specialty Care office, diagnostic imaging, TidalHealth HomeScripts pharmacy, a TidalHealth FamilyLab, and an array of additional outpatient services.
“The TidalHealth Millsboro North Campus is a game-changer for healthcare in Sussex County,” said Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, President/CEO of TidalHealth. “We’re bringing the full strength and support of our health system to this growing community, delivering the convenience of comprehensive care with the clinical excellence TidalHealth is known for.”
Strategically positioned to complement the existing TidalHealth Millsboro Delmarva Health Pavilion just south on Route 113 near the Lowe’s complex, the Millsboro North campus is part of TidalHealth’s broader vision to bring full-spectrum, outpatient medical services closer to where people live and work.
Sussex County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state of Delaware — and on the East Coast. Over the past decade, the county’s population has grown by nearly 20%, with some estimates projecting over 250,000 residents by the end of the decade. Much of that growth is concentrated in and around Millsboro, which has become a destination for both retirees and young families seeking a high quality of life.
With that growth comes increasing demand for healthcare services.
“Accessible healthcare is no longer a convenience — it’s a necessity,” said Cindy Lunsford, Ed.D., MSN, MBA, MAS-PH, EMHL, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer/President of TidalHealth Specialty and Primary Care. “We recognized a need in this region for more advanced outpatient care, and this new campus is our response. It’s designed to meet the evolving needs of this community and provide care that’s not only close by, but exceptional in quality.”
The design of the new campus enables it to function much like a hospital—without inpatient beds. Patients in need of more advanced, acute or inpatient care will be seamlessly referred to TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford or TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.
The grounds are open and welcoming and will feature a reflecting pond and healthy walking trails. When fully operational, the North Campus is expected to employ between 350 and 500 team members, significantly boosting access to care and healthcare-related employment opportunities, while further strengthening the area’s economy.
“Millsboro is proud to partner with TidalHealth on this exciting new chapter in our town’s growth,” said Jamie Burk, Town Manager, Town of Millsboro. “As one of the fastest-growing areas in Delaware, our residents — from young families to retirees — need and deserve convenient access to high-quality healthcare. The TidalHealth Millsboro North Campus will help meet that growing demand, right here in our own backyard. This project is more than just a healthcare facility — it’s an investment in the long-term health, vitality, and resilience of our community.”
Construction on the second building—a fully functional ambulatory surgery center—is scheduled to begin within the next 8 to 12 months. A third building is currently in the planning phase and will be programmed to meet future healthcare service needs.
Over time, the campus will host a comprehensive lineup of outpatient specialties, including primary care, general surgery, urology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, cardiology and diagnostic cardiology, rheumatology, infusion services, pain management and orthopedics.
“From day one, our commitment has been to deliver best-in-class clinical quality, unmatched patient safety, and affordability. This new campus is an extension of that promise,” added Dr. Leonard. “As Sussex County continues to grow, TidalHealth is committed to being there every step of the way — investing in infrastructure, providers, and services that will support the health and well-being of its communities for generations to come.”
Cutline: TidalHealth broke ground July 25 on its highly anticipated Millsboro North Campus, a transformative 150,000-square-foot healthcare complex that will stand as the health system’s largest outpatient facility.
Turning the first shovel of dirt were, from the left, Tyler Barnes, President, Gillis Gilkerson;
Ashleigh Sander, Millsboro Assistant Town Manager; Brian Calloway, Millsboro Chief of Police; Bob McKee, Millsboro Mayor; Steve Leonard, President/CEO, TidalHealth; Cindy Lunsford, Executive Vice President/COO, TidalHealth; Penny Short, President, TidalHealth Nanticoke; Angel Aguilar, Executive Director of Facilities, TidalHealth; Maria Lehman, Chairperson, TidalHealth Nanticoke Board of Directors and Dr. Joseph Kim, Executive Medical Director, TidalHealth Primary Care.
The rendering is the first of three buildings to be constructed on the Millsboro North Campus.
