The University of North Carolina at Wilmington announced on May 21 that it has received authorization from the UNC Board of Governors to begin formal planning for a new medical school. This marks the first step toward establishing an accredited four-year medical degree program, including an accelerated three-year track intended to address physician shortages in southeastern North Carolina.
The initiative is significant because it aims to train doctors closer to underserved communities, with the goal of encouraging graduates to remain and practice locally. The proposed program would be the state’s first new public medical school in more than fifty years.
Wendy F. Murphy, chair of the UNC Board of Governors and a member of the UNCW Class of 1993, said: “This program reflects the very best of what our universities strive to do — serve our students and our state with purpose, innovation and collaboration. UNCW has spent decades building strength in the health sciences and forging deep community partnerships. This is a thoughtful, future-focused opportunity to expand students’ access to medical education, strengthen the healthcare workforce in the region and create lasting impact across North Carolina.”
Unlike traditional models centered around standalone teaching hospitals, UNCW’s plan focuses on a distributed approach by partnering with hospitals, clinics, and rural providers throughout southeastern North Carolina as training sites for future physicians. Chancellor Aswani K. Volety said: “We are grateful that UNCW received approval from the Board of Governors. The board’s support allows us to take an important next step toward addressing one of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing our region and state. Our vision is to build a future-focused, community-engaged program that strengthens the physician workforce while expanding patients’ access to high-quality care.”
Local organizations such as Dawson Med, Goshen Medical Center, MedNorth Health Center, Novant Health, Wilmington Health—and civic groups like New Hanover County government—have expressed support for this effort through official proclamations or endorsements.
Planning work will begin immediately but developing curriculum materials and recruiting faculty will take time; a founding dean search is set for 2026 with hopes that classes could start as early as fall 2029 or fall 2030. Philanthropist Yousry Sayed—a university trustee—said: “UNCW has long been a place where students receive a high-quality education, open new doors and discover limitless opportunities…To see this great university take this bold step is a testimony to the incredible progress we have made…As someone who advised and mentored health sciences and premedical students for most of my tenure at UNCW it is both exciting and rewarding to imagine the future impact this step will have for many deserving students…and for critical healthcare needs.”
