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Wilmington council urges UNC Board of Governors to authorize UNCW medical school planning
Summary
Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing strong local support for UNC Wilmington's request to the UNC Board of Governors to begin planning a doctor of medicine program emphasizing primary care and distributed clinical training across the region; speakers cited a regional physician shortage and workforce benefits.
Mayor Bill Safo introduced a resolution on May 4 expressing Wilmington City Council's strong support for the University of North Carolina Wilmington's request to the UNC Board of Governors to authorize planning for a doctor of medicine program.
"Access to high-quality health care and a strong physician workforce are essential to a safe, healthy and thriving community," the resolution reads. Mayor Safo and several councilmembers said Southeastern North Carolina faces physician shortages and that a regional medical school could expand training pipelines and encourage new physicians to remain in the region.
Councilmember Joyner described local health-system efforts to improve nursing and retention and said that bringing a medical school to the region would help recruit and retain doctors. Councilmember Santaguida and others spoke in favor of collaborative partnerships with hospitals, community clinics and existing health-sciences programs at UNCW.
Councilmember Santaguida moved and Councilmember Andrews seconded the resolution; the council voted unanimously to approve.
The resolution asks the UNC Board of Governors to authorize planning and encourages continued collaboration among UNCW, health-care partners and community stakeholders to support program development and workforce goals.
