Chester health fair aims to provide care for children affected by Crozer’s closure.

The recent closure of Crozer Health, the largest health system in Delaware County, has significantly impacted access to medical care for families in Chester and surrounding areas, according to local pediatrician Jenna Higgins. As a practitioner with firsthand experience in the community, Higgins emphasizes the challenges that families face in securing essential health services following the closures of Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital earlier this spring.

The closure left many children without critical services such as pediatric care, speech therapy, and physical therapy. One notable case involved a four-year-old girl diagnosed with autism who struggled to receive necessary care after Crozer’s pediatric unit shut down in 2024. Her mother experienced significant difficulties in locating another pediatrician, leading to delays in important therapies and check-ups.

In response to this healthcare crisis, Higgins and her colleague Tanner Walsh have organized a community event called the “Back to School Bash,” scheduled to occur at 151 W. 5th Street in Chester. This initiative aims to provide local families with essential health services, including free physical exams, vaccinations, and lead testing for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. This event is the result of a collaborative effort among various local health organizations, including the City of Chester Bureau of Health, Nemours Children’s Health, and ChesPenn Health Services.

Families are encouraged to register for the event, although walk-ins will be accepted. Kristin Ball Motley, the health commissioner for Chester, stated the importance of such initiatives to bridge the healthcare access gap in the community, highlighting that the absence of local healthcare providers necessitates innovative solutions to provide essential services.

The fallout from the closure of Crozer Health has prompted families to seek care outside of Chester, traveling to neighboring towns such as Eddystone, Springfield, and Media. This poses transportation challenges, particularly for families relying on public transit. Many parents have expressed frustration over the difficulties in obtaining their medical records from Crozer, which has imposed fees ranging between to . Such barriers further complicate the search for new pediatricians and make it difficult for children to receive timely medical attention.

The health disparities in Chester are stark, with pediatric asthma rates reported to be four times higher than the national average and infant mortality rates being five times higher. Without sufficient healthcare resources, the community’s needs remain unmet. The collaborative efforts of local health agencies and professionals aim to address this pressing issue while offering families immediate healthcare solutions and fostering ongoing relationships with healthcare providers for follow-up care.

In this challenging context, the Back to School Bash seeks not just to provide temporary health services, but to establish a foundation for continued medical support for families in need. By offering a family-friendly atmosphere with entertainment and vital health resources, organizers hope to engage the community while addressing the gaps created by recent hospital closures.