Page 3 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper November 2025 Edition

The Fayetteville Press October/November 2025 Edition Page 3

Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine

Receives Greenlight to Begin Recruiting Inaugural Class of Students

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Standing in front of the soon-to-be completed, state- (Cape Fear Valley Health physicians with fac-
of-the-art Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine building ulty) with additional physician appointments
on Friday, Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., shared that the to come.
proposed new school of medicine has received the official accreditation approval neces-
sary to begin its recruitment of its inaugural class of students for the summer of 2026. “Our students will learn in an innova-
“Today marks a truly transformational milestone,” Wearden said to a crowd of tive, community-centered curriculum, training
medical professionals, key partners, media from around the state, and SOM faculty and directly within Cape Fear Valley Health
staff. “This accomplishment is the result of years of dedication, planning, and collabo- System’s hospitals and clinics,” Bell said. “They
ration… With preliminary accreditation in hand, we now begin the exciting work of will become not only exceptional clinicians, but
recruiting our charter class – students who will one day transform healthcare throughout compassionate community leaders – doctors
Southeastern North Carolina.” who know their patients, their neighborhoods,
The accreditation designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and their purpose.”
(LCME) – the accrediting body for all U.S. and Canadian MD-granting medical schools
– represents a significant achievement for Methodist University, in partnership with The next significant milestone for the
Cape Fear Valley Health, and positions the school as only the fifth MD medical school SOM is substantive change new program ap-
in North Carolina and the first new MD school in N.C. in four decades that isn’t tied to proval in December. This is pending the ap-
an existing institution. proval by the Southern Association of Colleges
“None of this happens in isolation,” said Dr. Hershey Bell, the founding dean of and Schools Commission on Colleges board. For
the SOM. “It takes the full partnership of our University, our health system, our several years, Methodist University has had
faculty and staff, and the extraordinary people of this community who share a belief in some of the region’s top academic programs in
what’s possible when vision meets purpose.” Health Sciences & Human Services and main-
The new school will provide a very unique, mission-driven MD education with tains departments that include: Health Care Ad-
world-class clinical experiences in underserved areas where students (who become phy- ministration, Kinesiology, Occupational
sicians) can make a difference – right away and for generations to come. The Association Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assis-
of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has reported that when students go to medical tant Studies; the School of Nursing; Social Work
school and complete their residency in one area, there’s a 70% chance they stay in that and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
area to practice. The new, state-of-the-art Methodist University Cape Fear Valley “For decades, our University has been
“This partnership is not just historic – it is profoundly practical,” said Michael Health School of Medicine building will open for its first class of deeply committed to preparing professionals
Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health System. “For years, our region has faced who make a difference in the lives of others,”
physician shortages, particularly in primary care and key specialties. By training medi- students in Summer 2026. Wearden said. “Now, with this medical school,
cal students right here in Fayetteville, we will dramatically increase the likelihood that that mission reaches an even higher calling.”
these future doctors stay and serve the communities that need them most.” access across our region; the transformation of opportunities for research, innovation, and economic growth right
This moment is truly a celebration as a win for the city, region, state and nation, here at home.” More information about the Methodist
as it is the “greenlight” to recruit students for a medical school that brings new oppor- An Economic Impact Study – by Michael Walden from N.C. State University – shows the SOM will University Cape Fear Valley Health School of
tunities for aspiring physicians, innovative academic research, and a long-term pipeline increase annual spending in the area by $72M and create nearly 850 news jobs (not including those from expected Medicine, which has received tremendous sup-
of doctors trained to serve. new industries and employers). port from the Golden LEAF Foundation and
“This achievement is about transformation,” Bell said. “The transformation of other corporate and individual donors, can be
students’ lives who dream of becoming physicians; the transformation of healthcare The SOM has already hired more than 50 faculty and staff, and will utilize more than 200 clinical faculty found at methodist.edu/medicine.

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