This article was contributed by Ernie Bovio, prior President of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Novant Health is paving the way for an exciting new era — a healthy one filled with promise, growth and a commitment to our community. Our monumental investment in healthcare infrastructure will be a cornerstone of the future of healthcare in southeastern North Carolina. It’s an ambitious investment in the well-being of our community members, their children and the generations to come. 

And at its heart, this investment is about you. It’s about making sure every family has access to remarkable care close to home. It’s about creating spaces where healing feels possible, support feels close and our communities feel seen and cared for.  

As our population continues to grow, we are taking bold steps to ensure our healthcare system grows with it. This investment is a blueprint for the future — ensuring that we provide state-of-the-art care that is innovative, accessible and centered on the needs of our community. 

This infusion of support was made possible because five years ago, this community chose Novant Health to bring the resources needed to strengthen healthcare access in the region. Today, we are taking enormous steps toward a brighter future for healthcare in our region. 

8-story heart and vascular tower 

We have identified the expansion of heart and vascular services as a priority for our region. Our amazing cardiovascular team treats thousands of patients each year, and that number will only increase in years to come. To meet that need, we are constructing a new eightstory heart and vascular tower on the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center campus on 17th Street. This new tower – anticipated to open in 2030 – will bring together surgical care, procedural suites, advanced diagnostics and inpatient services – strengthening collaboration and enhancing the patient experience. 

We’re also expanding access to outpatient heart care with a second 80,000squarefoot medical office building in Wilmington. Our current facility is at capacity, and this new space ensures patients can receive highquality cardiovascular care close to home with shorter wait times and greater convenience. And increasing space is just part of the solution – we also expect to add at least 75 heart and vascular physicians and advanced practice providers to bring the expertise and care our patients need. Altogether, these investments position our region as a destination for advanced heart and vascular services. 

New 60-bed rehab hospital 

Recovery after a stroke, injury or major medical event is one of the most vulnerable moments a patient can face. We are proud of the remarkable work our rehab team does every day. To support even more patients, we are building a new 60bed rehabilitation hospital on our Wrightsville Avenue campus. Nearly doubling our current capacity, this modern facility will offer private rooms and stateoftheart therapy spaces designed to help patients regain strength, confidence and independence — all without leaving the community they love. 

Adapting our space to meet demand 

In addition to new construction, we are investing in upgrades and reconfiguration at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. By modernizing key clinical areas and expanding surgical and endoscopy services, we’re improving the efficiency, flow and accessibility of care for patients across the region. 

The shaping of our vision 

All of these projects are woven into our Vision 2030 plan — our roadmap for expanding access, advancing clinical excellence and innovating the way we deliver care. But the true heart of this investment is our belief in this region. We believe in its growth, its resilience and its extraordinary potential. 

The future of southeastern North Carolina is bright. And with this historic investment, Novant Health is ensuring that the future of healthcare is just as bright. 

Ernie Bovio 
President, Novant Health Coastal Region 

For more information on Vision 2030, these plans and how Novant Health is advancing high-quality, accessible care in the Coastal Region, please visit: NovantHealth.org/CoastalNC.