UNC Board of Governors authorizes UNCW to move forward with plans for medical school

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With a key vote of support on Thursday from the UNC Board of Governors, UNCW has been authorized to begin formal planning for a proposed medical school.

The university will now enter the UNC System’s academic planning process, exploring the creation of an accredited four-year medical degree program, including an accelerated three-year track designed to move physicians into the workforce more quickly. 

“This program reflects the very best of what our universities strive to do — serve our students and our state with purpose, innovation and collaboration,” said Wendy F. Murphy, chair of the UNC Board of Governors and a member of the UNCW Class of 1993. “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.”

UNCW said this program will become the state’s first new public medical school in more than 50 years. 

“Greenlighting a medical school at UNCW just makes sense for North Carolina, and I am honored to help advance the visionary program the university is developing. This extraordinary milestone marks the first time in more than 50 years that a new public medical school has been approved in our state. Now UNCW has the opportunity to expand access for students, prepare more doctors, and strengthen healthcare for the people of southeastern North Carolina,” said Woody White, member of the UNC Board of Governors.  

By creating a place-based model of medical education, UNCW said it aims to prepare physicians who are not only highly skilled, but also deeply connected to southeastern North Carolina, making them more likely to stay. 

“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,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “Our vision is to build a future-focused, community-engaged program that strengthens the physician workforce while expanding patients’ access to high-quality care.”