General News
Cape Fear Valley Health has been awarded the North Carolina Healthcare Association’s (NCHA’s) 2025 Highsmith Award for Innovation in recognition of its visionary partnership with Methodist University to establish the planned Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. Named for Dr. John Highsmith, the first president of NCHA, this award is presented to a member institution or to an individual/team employed by an NCHA member institution in recognition of innovation that creates value for patients/consumers of healthcare. Cape Fear Valley Health received the award July 17 at NCHA’s Summer Membership Meeting.
The planned school will be the first new, independent MD-granting medical school to launch in North Carolina in several years — distinct from an expansion of existing institutions. It addresses a critical workforce need in Southeastern North Carolina, often described as a “doctor desert.” The region faces a severe shortage of both primary care physicians and specialists. Statewide projections estimate a need for 1,885 additional primary care physicians by 2030, a 31% increase over the current workforce. This new medical school aims to bridge that gap by training physicians who are most likely to remain and serve in the region.
The medical school is the result of a strong collaboration between Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, and Dr. Stanley Wearden, President of Methodist University. Together, they envisioned and executed a bold plan to strengthen the healthcare workforce through education. The school’s appointment of Dr. Hershey Bell as its inaugural dean affirms its mission of innovative, community-based medical training.
“We’ve very honored to accept this award on behalf of the many people on our team who believe in this school and have been working to make this idea a reality for several years,” Nagowski said. “The planned Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine is going to transform our region and the lives of future generations, both in terms of healthcare and economic opportunities.”
With a curriculum grounded in real-world experience, interprofessional education, and community-based clinical learning, the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine will prepare physicians to meet the evolving demands of healthcare delivery while encouraging them to remain rooted in the communities they serve.
This partnership demonstrates Cape Fear Valley Health’s commitment not just to care delivery, but to long-term workforce development and access to care. By investing in education, and regional capacity-building, Cape Fear Valley Health is helping to build a healthier future for Southeastern North Carolina.
The launch of this medical school stands as a strong example of how healthcare institutions can take proactive, innovative steps to meet workforce challenges and improve outcomes across the state.
About NCHA
Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support, and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable, and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.
