UNC Health announces plans for hospital near Shipyard Boulevard in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNC Health announced plans Monday to build a new community hospital in Wilmington aimed at expanding access to specialty and primary care across the rapidly growing New Hanover County region.
According to UNC Health, the proposed hospital would be built on a 62-acre site at the southeast corner of South 17th Street and Shipyard Boulevard, pending state regulatory approvals through North Carolina’s Certificate of Need process.
UNC Health says the hospital would offer a range of services including emergency care, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics and gynecology, neurosurgery and additional specialty care services.
The health system is targeting an opening date of 2030.
“We’re very excited, UNC Health is very excited about the opportunity,” said Ernie Bovio, the health system’s new regional president for the southeastern coastal market.
Bovio said the proposed expansion reflects the region’s continued growth.
“Given the population growth, the population density, the forecast of growth in the region, now seemed like a really good time for UNC to expand its presence in Wilmington and New Hanover County,” he said.
“We’ve heard from the residents in our community that they want more access to primary care and to specialty care, they want a choice and an alternative without having to drive two hours to that alternative,” Bovio said.
Wilmington Health CEO Jeff James said the state has identified a need for 226 additional hospital beds in Wilmington. While UNC Health has already submitted an application, James said other healthcare systems could pursue the same opportunity.
“We’re very supportive of UNC’s application. We’ll also be supportive of Novant’s application as well,” James said.
“That hospital is still a number of years out, and there’s no certainty that UNC will get it, it’s likely there will be other applicants as well,” he added.
In a statement to WWAY, Novant Health said:
“It’s no secret southeastern North Carolina has become a destination, and the region continues to see population growth and new businesses, which has prompted the state to allow 225 new hospital beds in New Hanover County. Based on the size of the bed count, we fully expected this to be a competitive process.
However, Novant Health has an unparalleled commitment to this community. We have and continue to grow alongside it. Our strong community partnerships and our Vision 2030 plans to improve access to high-quality care are years in the making. I’m extremely proud of our physicians and our care teams, and all the work they have done to advance the level of care offered in our Coastal Region.
In just five years, Novant Health has already committed $2 billion to expand the healthcare infrastructure. Next month, we will celebrate the opening of Scotts Hill Medical Center, which will grow needed access to hospital care in New Hanover County. We will also file for state approval for an expanded heart & vascular center of excellence in a new patient tower, building on the nationally recognized expertise of our teams. We’re adding a hospital and surgery center in Leland and a new medical office building in midtown Wilmington, among other projects. As always, we will continue to invest in our people and our patients to support the wellbeing of the entire region.”
The health system highlighted more than $2 billion in recent and planned investments across the region, including the upcoming opening of Scotts Hill Medical Center, a new patient tower and a hospital and surgery center in Leland.
Novant Health also recently received its fourth consecutive “C” grade on hospital safety ratings from a national watchdog organization.
Former Novant patient Jon Martell, who now runs the Five Star Project advocating for improved patient care, said the possibility of another hospital in the region could benefit residents.
“Novant is going to continue to be a major player in the health system for our city and having another hospital doesn’t let them off the hook,” Martell said.
The hospital proposal also comes as University of North Carolina Wilmington has proposed creating a new medical degree program to help address healthcare workforce shortages in the region.
Bovio said UNC Health’s existing academic partnership with Novant Health would continue even as the hospital proposal moves forward.
“Novant Health and UNC Health have a strong affiliation that is academic in nature,” Bovio said. “UNC has a third and fourth year branch campus of the School of Medicine in partnership with Novant and that will continue.”
In a statement, UNCW said:
“This announcement reinforces the need that UNCW has been addressing. Current and future hospitals in our region require a strong pipeline of well-trained doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and UNCW is committed to doing our part in addressing these regional workforce needs, increasing clinical care capacity and improving access to care close to home. Our proposed medical school is a key component of expanding our state’s healthcare infrastructure and meeting the needs of North Carolinians.”
