Wayne County, NC – Today, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement that would pave the way for at least $675 million in long-term investment in healthcare services, infrastructure, workforce development, and economic growth throughout Wayne County. This positions UNC Health Wayne for long-term expansion and stability, including more than $675 million in investments from UNC Health over the next 15 years that will strengthen healthcare services, strengthen the local economy, and improve quality of life for residents across Wayne County and eastern North Carolina.
This action by the Board of Commissioners authorizes moving forward with agreements that support the full integration of UNC Health Wayne into the UNC Health system. The proposal will now advance to the UNC Health Wayne Board for its consideration and approval. Today’s announcement represents more than a year of negotiations between Wayne County, UNC Health, and local hospital leadership to ensure the hospital continues as a vital community asset while expanding services for future generations.
Originally operated by Wayne County until 1985, Wayne Memorial Hospital was transferred to the Wayne Health Corporation with the requirement that it continue serving the public as a community hospital. In 2015, UNC Health became the operator of the hospital while Wayne Health Corporation retained ownership. This new agreement builds upon that partnership and establishes a permanent place for UNC Health Wayne within the statewide UNC Health system.
Under this new integration, UNC Health has committed to investing at least $675 million over the next 15 years to modernize facilities, recruit and retain physicians and healthcare professionals, expand specialty and higher-acuity services, and improve technology and infrastructure. A key component of the plan includes developing UNC Health Wayne into a Level III Trauma Center while exploring future advancement to Level II status, allowing more patients to receive advanced care closer to home.
The agreement also calls for preserving essential hospital services, expanding outpatient and specialty care, supporting workforce development, and creating a comprehensive regionalization plan that positions UNC Health Wayne as a regional referral hub for eastern North Carolina.
The integration is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region. The $675 million commitment, one of the largest healthcare investments in Eastern North Carolina’s history, will support workforce development, physician recruitment and retention, capital improvements, and clinical growth, driving jobs and economic activity throughout Wayne County. A new foundation, established by the Board of Commissioners, will channel a portion of the investment toward expanding access to affordable healthcare for Wayne County residents for generations to come.
“This has been more than a year in the making, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Wayne County Board of Commissioners Chairman Joe Daughtery. “Everyone came to the table with one goal: making sure our community hospital remains a strong and lasting asset for the people of Wayne County. I want to thank UNC Health, Wayne Health Corporation, my fellow commissioners, Representative John Bell, county staff, and everyone involved in these negotiations for their commitment and collaboration. Residents won’t notice much change since the hospital is already operated by UNC Health, but this agreement is a tremendous win for our county for years to come.”
The agreement preserves local representation and accountability. The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will appoint a member to the UNC Health Wayne Hospital board, and more than half of the hospital board members will be Wayne County residents. UNC Health will provide annual reports to the foundation and county leaders, ensuring transparency and the fulfillment of commitments over time. Wayne County will retain its reversionary interest in the property in the event the facility ceases to be operated as a community hospital.
With approval by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, the agreement now advances to the hospital board for final approval. Upon their approval, UNC Health will work toward completing the integration and launching the comprehensive 15-year regionalization plan.
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