Greater Wilmington Chamber Executive Committee Adopts Resolution Supporting Proposed UNCW Medical School

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Executive Committee of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously on May 8, 2026, to adopt a formal resolution supporting the proposed Doctor of Medicine program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
 
The resolution recognizes the importance of expanding healthcare workforce capacity in southeastern North Carolina and positions the proposed medical school as a critical long-term investment in the region’s economic competitiveness, healthcare infrastructure, and quality of life.
 
“The Cape Fear region continues to experience significant population growth, and with that growth comes increased demand for healthcare professionals and expanded access to care,” said Natalie English, president and CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “The proposed medical school at UNCW represents a transformational opportunity to strengthen our workforce pipeline, support regional healthcare providers, and position southeastern North Carolina for long-term success.”
 
The Chamber’s resolution highlights several key factors driving its support, including:
 
·      North Carolina’s ongoing shortage of physicians and low ranking nationally in medical students per capita
·      The growing healthcare demands facing southeastern North Carolina
·      The potential economic impact associated with attracting students, faculty, research activity, and private investment
·      The opportunity to strengthen healthcare access in both urban and rural communities through a distributed clinical training model
 
The Chamber also noted the success of the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership, a collaborative workforce initiative facilitated by the Chamber that has helped expand local healthcare training capacity and improve retention of nursing professionals in the region.
 
“The Chamber has long prioritized workforce development and talent retention as central to our region’s future,” said English. “We believe a medical school at UNCW would build on the momentum already underway through partnerships between education, healthcare, business, and community leaders.”
 
The resolution urges the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to authorize the planning and development of the proposed program and affirms the Chamber’s commitment to advocating for the policies, partnerships, and investments necessary to support its success.
 
The proposed UNCW medical school would include both four-year and accelerated three-year pathways with an emphasis on primary care, rural health, and community-based clinical training.
 
About the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1853, is the largest business advocacy organization in southeastern North Carolina, representing businesses and organizations committed to strengthening the region’s economy, workforce, and quality of life.
 
Media Contact:
Megan Mullins
Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer
Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
mullins@wilmingtonchamber.org
910-547-9567