Medical School at UNC-Wilmington?

In mid-April, Chancellor Aswani Volety announce to the UNC System's Board of Governors that he wants to add an accredited four-year medical school at UNC Wilmington. The medical school would also have a 3-year accelerated track. NC Health News reports that the southeastern region of the state faces a significant shortage of physicians. That shortage leads to patients facing longer wait times for care, over-reliance on emergency departments, and higher levels of hospitalization.

By 2030, North Carolina is projected to have a deficit of over 7,700 physician positions. This is on top of a growing state and aging demographics. (Chancellor Volety)

Six of the seven existing medical schools in North Carolina are east of I-95. Currently, the closest medical school to Wilmington is in Greenville, NC at East Carolina University. That's two hours away. The idea of a medical school in Wilmington is getter broad support. State Representative John Bell (R-Wayne) applauds the idea. "It's not just going to benefit just our region. It's going to benefit the entire state," commented Rep. Bell. Board of Governors member Reginald Holly praised the idea too.

What a time it will be for these men and women, if such a vision were to come to fruition in southeastern North Carolina. What a difference it would make. (Board Member Holly referring to men and women of low income who hardly have access to healthcare)

The UNC System Board of Governors meets in May. It could give Volety the green light to move along the idea.