Novant Health investing $50 million to Pender Medical Center transfer
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Novant Health is celebrating the start of the next chapter of health care in Pender County.
The nonprofit health system has completed all steps to finalize the transfer of Pender Medical Center in Burgaw.
As part of the transfer agreement, Novant Health has committed to invest $50 million over the next 10 years to modernize the hospital and expand access to care in Pender County. This major infusion of resources will both safeguard the community’s health care and help grow services to reduce disparities and promote convenient access to care, a press release states.
“We’re tremendously excited about all we can do to create a healthier future for residents in Pender County,” said Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health. “In a time when rural communities across the country need stronger access to quality healthcare, we are proud to be moving forward with momentous investments and care improvements in this area.”
Novant Health will improve access to primary and specialty care in Pender County, recruit specialty care physicians to offer services and improve acute and ambulatory facilities while maintaining Pender Medical Center’s status as a critical access hospital.
Novant Health Pender Medical Center is a 25-bed hospital with 43 skilled nursing beds. The hospital offers a range of services, including emergency care, surgery, imaging and infusion therapy, in addition to Novant Health Home Care.
Novant Health has operated Pender Medical Center since 2021, when Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center joined the system.
“We’re so proud to move ahead with the backing of a nonprofit organization committed to our community,” said Ruth Glaser, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Pender Medical Center. “Since we were already welcomed to the Novant Health family when New Hanover Regional Medical Center joined in 2021, we look forward to a smooth transition for patients and team members. We will prioritize adding physicians and services to provide more care options locally.”
Novant Health alongside its partners is already moving forward on plans to launch a rural physician training program to boost access to preventive care. The first physician residents are slated to arrive in the summer of 2024. The partnership includes Black River Health Services and UNC School of Medicine.
