Hosted by Lora Lewis, Philadelphia Focus introduces you to the people and organizations making a difference in our community, from health and safety issues to education, employment, and even entertainment opportunities.  Philadelphia Focus looks for solutions and positive action to make our region a better place to call home.

Michael Benninghoff, D.O., M.S., graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. with a bachelor’s degree in biology and natural sciences before attending Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to complete his masters of science in biomedical sciences and physiology. Dr. Benninghoff continued his medical education at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine earning his medical degree in 2001. During his internal medicine residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, Pa., he served as chief resident in his third year. He went on to complete a pulmonary/critical care fellowship at Penn State College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. in 2005.

Dr. Benninghoff is board certified in internal medicine, critical care medicine and pulmonary medicine. His professional memberships include; American College of Chest Physicians, Society of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association and the American Thoracic Society and PERT Consortium.

Dr. Benninghoff joined Christiana Care in 2008 and is currently the Section Chief for Medical Critical Care, medical director for the Christiana Hospital medical intensive care unit as well as Respiratory Care dept. He serves as co-chair of the Medical Emergency Response Committee and Pulmonary Embolism Response Committee and chairs the Critical Care Committee. He has been recognized for research, teaching/education and leadership on many occasions over the last decade plus here at ChristianaCare. He was recently named to serve on the Gift Of Life Medical Advisory and Policy Board for years 2020-2023.

Carol Ritter leads the nurses at arguably the nation’s preeminent intensive care unit. Profiled by The New York Times, ChristianaCare’s Medical Intensive Care Unit is the first unit in history to earn a Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.