I was excited to join Novant Health in January as the president of the Coastal region. Novant Health appealed to me, in part, because of the organization’s dedicated commitment to our communities. We are invested in health equity and increasing access to healthcare for all our community members. We want you to live your healthiest life, and we are working to make sure we have the technology, the tools and the medical experts you need to thrive.

Through a series of initiatives bolstered by community collaboration and philanthropy, we are making significant strides toward our goals.

Community Mobile Health Cruiser

First, we have launched Wilmington's first mobile clinic. The Novant Health Community Care Cruiser, a dynamic 38-foot mobile health unit designed to bring essential medical services – including preventive screenings, vaccinations and rapid tests for RSV and flu – directly to you. Our transcultural health manager, Elizabeth Forte, and the dedicated team at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center are using this vehicle to remove existing barriers to healthcare. With the generous support of a $400,000 donation from the Novant Health Foundation, the cruiser will be stationed at community events, schools and other key locations – including a regular spot at the local Food Bank every Wednesday – to offer convenient health services to our community members.

The cruiser team will emphasize how important it is to have regular health visits and will help connect community members with a primary care physician. Be on the lookout for our second Community Care Cruiser, which will hit the road later in 2024.

Bringing these cruisers to Wilmington builds on the success Novant Health has built in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, where our mobile units have made a considerable impact on managing chronic conditions and helping people access the care they need.

Michael Jordan Family Medical clinics 
In addition to rolling out the Community Care Cruisers, we're honored by Michael Jordan's $10 million gift to build two new medical clinics in his hometown of Wilmington. These Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinics bring our expert medical providers into previously underserved areas of Wilmington, where they can impact the future of an entire community. Previously, Jordan contributed $7 million to build clinics in Charlotte. Our president and CEO, Carl Armato, and the entire Novant Health family are profoundly grateful for this partnership, which influences health outcomes and mirrors our commitment to broad-based, affordable healthcare for all.

Mobile mammography unit
And to further boost the health of our communities, Novant Health has introduced a mobile mammography unit to the Coastal region. Through the support of the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation, we are saving lives by bringing breast cancer screenings to your neighborhood. This comfortable, state-of-the-art unit is equipped with 3D imaging technology and will help facilitate timely diagnosis and intervention. We are making it as convenient as possible for women over 40 to get their mammography screenings – because it is vitally important. 

Collectively, these programs demonstrate our commitment to you. We are working to ensure every individual has access to the care they need and deserve. Our Novant Health team is proud to unveil these exciting new initiatives, inspired by you.

---

Ernie Bovio
President, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Coastal region
 
Ernie Bovio was named president, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Coastal region in January 2024. In this role, he leads all aspects of Novant Health’s operations and its 8,000 team members throughout the Coastal region.  

Bovio has worked in healthcare for 28 years. He has served in various administrative capacities, most recently as president of UNC Health Rex and UNC Health’s Triangle East region. 

He is a member and fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on numerous boards, including the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the United Way of Greater High Point.   

Bovio holds a Master of Healthcare Administration/Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston - Clear Lake and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University. Bovio is married to his wife, Holly, and has four children.