ChristianaCare Names New Leaders for Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics

ChristianaCare has appointed two physician leaders to drive the strategic growth, clinical excellence and operational performance of its Emergency Medicine and Pediatric service lines. In their new roles, they will lead service line development, set goals and programming priorities and ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and value-based care.

Lauren Cooksey, M.D., has been named the new department chair and physician executive, Emergency Medicine Service Line. She previously served as interim chair since 2024.

Cooksey has been a caregiver at ChristianaCare since 2012. As an accomplished emergency medicine physician, she has significant leadership experience in clinical operations and health care management and is dedicated to enhancing patient care, provider and patient experience and operational efficiency within the Emergency Department.

Recognized as a Top Doctor by Delaware Today magazine and awarded the Rising Star Award in Emergency Medicine, Cooksey continually strives to advance community health outcomes. In addition to clinical practice, she is actively involved in advocacy, education and professional organizations, contributing to the development of emergency medicine policies and training programs.

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Cooksey earned her undergraduate degree at University of Rhode Island and her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at ChristianaCare, where she has held various leadership roles, including vice chair of Emergency Medicine and medical director of Wilmington Hospital.

Megan Mickley, M.D., MBA, FAAP, FACEP, has been named department chair and physician executive, Pediatric Service Line. She previously served as interim chair since 2024.

Mickley has been a ChristianaCare caregiver since 2021, after focusing on the clinical and business development of pediatric emergency ultrasound programs at multiple highly specialized pediatric institutions. She came to ChristianaCare to lead the Pediatric Care Center, which opened in October 2022, and founded the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

Recognized by Delaware Today magazine as a Top Doctor, she continues to serve as a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician, bringing a wealth of clinical expertise to every patient encounter. Her most transformative experiences in health care stem from years of global health work in Vietnam and with Partners In Health in Haiti.

She has also provided frontline emergency care during critical moments in recent history, including the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the 2015 Baltimore protests. She credits the exceptional knowledge and dedication of her colleagues with fostering a culture of continuous learning and an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence.

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Mickley earned her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, her medical degree at University of Pennsylvania and her health administration MBA at University of Colorado. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital/University of Michigan, as well as fellowships in Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) at the combined Boston Medical Center/Boston Children’s program and in Emergency Ultrasound at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Cooksey and Dr. Mickley leading these vital service lines at ChristianaCare,” said Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, system chief medical officer and president of The Medical Group. “Both are exceptional physician leaders with a demonstrated commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care.

“Their vision and experience will be instrumental in advancing our mission to deliver high-quality, equitable and accessible care to our community. I am confident they will continue to elevate our emergency and pediatric services and inspire the teams they lead.”