Christiana Care is a non-profit regional health care system comprised of hospitals, outpatient facilities, and clinics throughout northern Delaware and surrounding communities. The Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute in Wilmington, Delaware, supports a wide range of programs to promote health, prevent disease, and minimize disability. It occupies the Victorian mansion built by the Du Pont family in the late 1800s named “Pelleport,” which has undergone periodic renovations over the years.

The in-house facilities team performs oversight of all Christiana Care’s construction projects. However, when it came time for an extensive renovation of Pelleport, internal resources were at capacity. It was determined services would need to be outsourced for the first time. Watchdog was selected to provide project management services for the interior remodel of Pelleport. The Watchdog team blended its process with the well-established existing procedures. The team worked closely with the Vice President of Design and Construction to serve as both a partner and an advocate to help Christiana Care achieve its project goals.

Watchdog oversaw the selection of the architect, general contractor, engineers, and suppliers of telephone and data systems, audio and video, security, and signage. The Watchdog team supervised the move of all medical practices to temporary locations. It was important for the team to work closely with the medical groups to learn the design requirements for the new space. This included OB/GYN, primary care, rehabilitation services, cardiology, cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Watchdog maintained open communication to manage the expectations of the different medical groups impacted by the renovations as well as the facilities department.

Watchdog performed cost analysis of detailed change order requests and addressed project issues through regular meetings with the in-house team and general contractor. As Christiana Care’s partner, Watchdog mitigated potential project delays and met the timeline for returning staff and installing medical equipment. Additionally, the team monitored the construction activities and equipment upgrades, arranged medical equipment storage, and requested regulatory approvals. After the extensive remodel, there was a significant amount of furniture to move back into the reconstructed space. Watchdog coordinated the delivery and facilitated a smooth move-in for the medical practice groups to return to operation in Pelleport.