President's Report from Feb. 16, 2026

Over the past week, our community has seen what is possible when long-term planning, disciplined decision-making, and collaboration come together in service of a stronger future.

On Thursday, Novant Health announced a more than $1 billion investment in new healthcare infrastructure across our region, including a new heart and vascular patient tower, expanded medical office space, a 60-room rehabilitation hospital, and major renovations to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. This significant investment will expand access to specialized care, support our rapidly growing population, and help recruit the physicians and advanced practice providers needed to meet rising demand.

As our region continues to welcome new residents each day, our healthcare system must grow with us. It is neither sustainable nor equitable for patients to routinely travel two hours to Raleigh to access specialized services. Many individuals and families simply cannot afford the time away from work, the cost of travel, or the added stress that comes with seeking care outside of their community. Access to high-quality healthcare close to home should be the standard, not the exception.

It is important to recognize that this level of investment would not have been achievable under our former county-owned hospital model without significant taxpayer funding. Five years ago, our community made a strategic decision to partner with Novant Health and establish The Endowment. That choice positioned us to access greater capital, accelerate long-needed improvements to our healthcare system, and create a permanent philanthropic resource dedicated to strengthening our broader community. Today, we are seeing the results of that long-term vision in both expanded healthcare capacity and sustained community investment.

At the same time, the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and The Endowment partnered to preserve approximately 25 acres of green space off Greenville Loop Road for a future public park. In one of the smallest counties in North Carolina, where land costs continue to rise, protecting open space requires foresight and alignment. We are grateful to the Wilmington City Council for its unanimous 7-0 vote in support of this project and to the majority of New Hanover County Commissioners who advanced this investment.

We also congratulate Sophie Dagenais on her new official role as CEO of The Endowment and thank the Board of Directors for their vision and leadership in supporting this transition. The Endowment continues to serve as a catalyst for strategic, community-centered investment, and we look forward to continued partnership as we work together to strengthen both our economy and our quality of life for generations to come.