WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. – The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce will convene healthcare professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders for a comprehensive Rural Healthcare Summit on Wednesday, September 10, aimed at addressing critical healthcare access challenges across Eastern North Carolina.

The day-long event, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., will bring together regional partners for collaborative discussions focused on developing innovative solutions to ensure equitable healthcare access throughout rural communities in the area.

The summit will feature a peer-to-peer conversation format designed to inspire participants, explore cutting-edge approaches to rural healthcare delivery, and foster collaboration among attendees working to improve health outcomes in underserved communities.

Participants are invited to arrive for check-in and breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., with the first keynote speaker scheduled to begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

The initiative comes as rural healthcare systems nationwide face mounting challenges, including provider shortages, facility closures, and barriers to accessing specialized care. Eastern North Carolina, like many rural regions, has experienced particular strain on its healthcare infrastructure in recent years.

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce expects the summit to generate actionable strategies for addressing these systemic challenges while building stronger networks among healthcare providers, community organizations, and civic leaders throughout the region.