Sharon Kurfuerst Receives Women in Business 2020 Award

Sharon Kurfuerst, Ed.D., OTR/L, FACHE, system chief operating officer (COO), has been named a 2020 Women in Business honoree by Delaware Today and Delaware Business Times. Winners were honored at a virtual celebration today.

When the pandemic struck in March, Kurfuerst led ChristianaCare’s COVID-19 incident command and response team, coordinating with state and federal government agencies, other health systems and local officials to protect the health and safety of ChristianaCare caregivers, patients and community.

Kurfuerst led efforts to safely sustain essential ChristianaCare operations, including securing critical personal protective equipment (PPE). She oversaw new initiatives including drive-through COVID-19 testing and providing essential personnel and supplies to communities and medical centers in need.

She demonstrated extraordinary leadership in mobilizing and collaborating with personnel across the state to integrate resources to benefit all Delawareans.

As COO, Kurfuerst is responsible for the development and execution of core enterprise business processes and functions, including campus operations for Newark, Middletown, Wilmington and Cecil County; clinical essential services; corporate compliance; facilities and services; safety and security; real estate; retail strategy and expansion; and design and construction activities.

“I am humbled to be selected for this award,” Kurfuerst said. “It is an honor to be recognized along with many incredibly talented women, serving our community together, throughout the state of Delaware.”

Kurfuerst joined ChristianaCare in 2007 and held several roles before becoming COO of the health system in 2017. Her leadership roles have included senior vice president of Health Services Operations, senior vice president of Administration, and vice president of Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Services, drawing on her clinical experience as an occupational therapist.

With a doctoral degree in educational leadership and professional development and a master’s degree in adult education, Kurfuerst presents nationally on topics in health care leadership, health care system partnerships, and rehabilitation and has published on those topics. She is also a frequent lecturer for other health care providers and universities.

Additionally, she serves on several boards focused on education and serving vulnerable populations.