UNC Health's hiring of Ernie Bovio, the former president of Novant Health's Coastal Region in Southeastern North Carolina, signals an expansion into a market dominated by Novant Health.

A press release issued Monday announced the creation of a new UNC Health role: regional president of the Southeast Coastal market, to be filled by Bovio. 

“There’s a variety of ways that UNC Health can expand into southeast North Carolina,” Bovio said to the Business Journal this week. “Once I get over there and start working with the team, we can determine the best approach to do so, and that would not only be clinical, but also from an academic education perspective and a clinical research perspective.”

Bovio served as president of UNC Health Rex in Raleigh before being tapped to lead Novant Health’s Coastal Region and serve as the president of the region’s flagship hospital, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), in January 2024. Bovio also previously served as the leader of UNC Health's Triangle East Region, including UNC Health Rex in Holly Springs, and UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield and Clayton, according to the release.

Novant tapped Laurie Whalin to become president of NHRMC and of acute care operations for the Novant Health Coastal Region in early 2025, while Bovio remained the leader of the Winston-Salem-based health system's footprint throughout the region.

"I have a unique insight into this region and experience with UNC Health," Bovio said earlier this week, "so it made sense to me to make the move now to help support that.”

Bovio has two years of experience as the leader of Novant Health’s Coastal Region, which UNC Health has identified as rapidly growing and in need of specialized care. Bovio will begin his new role in early April. 

"I was a part of UNC Health for almost 10 years before joining Novant," Bovio said earlier l this week. "So I know that UNC Health is committed to meeting the health care needs of communities across the state.”

UNC Health currently operates a 452-bed hospital in Lumberton, UNC Health Southeastern. Its southeastern coastal presence currently includes Onslow Memorial Hospital and UNC Health’s Pediatrics specialty care program at the Novant Health Betty H. Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital, a collaborative working relationship with Novant Health and the UNC School of Medicine. 

“My vision would be to bring the full strength of the UNC Health, academic and community medicine closer to those communities,” Bovio said. "They're committed to growing throughout the state, and this is a growing region, so it just makes sense for them to offer more services here."

Following Novant Health’s $1.2 billion purchase of NHRMC in 2021, the nonprofit health care system pledged $2.5 billion to expand the region’s health care infrastructure as part of its purchase agreement with New Hanover County. 

UNC Health was one of four health systems intent on acquiring NHRMC before its sale to Novant in 2021. As part of the deal process, UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine signed an agreement with Novant Health to develop a long-term academic clinical partnership, continuing the UNC School of Medicine's existing branch at NHRMC.  

In February, Whalin told the Business Journal that Novant was well underway to committing to $2 billion of that $2.5 billion commitment in five years' time, and Novant announced a $1 billion commitment to new construction and renovation projects that same month. 

"Our Vision 2030 plan continues to guide our operations as we work to build a healthier future for southeastern North Carolina,” Whalin said in an email to the Business Journal this week. “We are energized about our plans to grow access to exceptional care locally, including the recently approved Leland area hospital, the upcoming opening of Scotts Hill Medical Center, and the major expansion for our nationally recognized heart & vascular institute."

The state’s recent approval for a 30-bed Columbus Regional Healthcare system hospital in Leland, in addition to Novant Health’s proposed 20-bed hospital, opens the door for more competition in the region, as well as the opportunity to mitigate pressure on NHRMC, the region’s major hospital. 

“I believe that our community is fortunate to have Novant Health committed to and serving this region,” said Bovio, "and I’m very proud to have the opportunity to work alongside the Novant medical staff and team members, and I wish them nothing but success.” 

Bovio will stay headquartered in Wilmington, with plans to travel throughout Southeastern North Carolina and to Chapel Hill as his role requires, he said.