Healthcare

Southeastern North Carolina is truly blessed to have outstanding health care services, providers, facilities and access. Rapid population growth, real estate development, new businesses and the influx of retirees have spurred major hospital expansions and attracted high caliber medical practitioners to the Greater Wilmington area, Pender and Brunswick counties.

Without question, the New Hanover Health Network (NHHN) in Wilmington is the cornerstone, mover and shaker when it comes to providing wide-ranging, comprehensive medical services. The Network comprises five hospitals, outpatient surgery and treatment centers, numerous specialty services, a first-rate trauma department, home health, hospice and palliative care. In addition, affiliations and partnerships with other hospitals and organizations enlarge the Network’s service area to reach nearly every corner of New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties in one way or another.

Regional Medical Center    back to top

New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) is the Network hub, with most progress emanating from it; everyone is benefitting from the vision and commitment of its leadership. A series of building projects combined with ongoing technological upgrades makes NHRMC a force to be reckoned with in the health care arena. Current and future plans include a stand-alone surgical pavilion, a women’s and children’s center, complete renovation of the NHRMC patient tower, a designated heart and vascular center, enlarged Emergency Department, enhanced access and additional parking; the network will have 769 licensed beds.

Brunswick Hospital Purchased    back to top

In March 2006, Novant Health, a private, not-for-profit health care chain, took over management of the 60-bed Brunswick Community Hospital located in Supply. Six months, $600,000 in new equipment and 100 additional employees later, Novant announced it wants to build a $100 million, 92-bed hospital to replace the current campus. The new hospital would be more than 200,000 square feet, have 32 additional inpatient beds, eight or more additional emergency department bays, all private rooms and enhanced specialty services.

Brunswick’s Jewel    back to top

Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport is Brunswick County’s hidden jewel. Owned by the citizens of Smithville Township for more than 75 years, the hospital has 36 acute-care and 64 skilled nursing beds and offers a comprehensive scope of acute care health services using state-of-the-art technology. Having partnered with New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Dosher has been able to expand its services, share resources and provide joint outreach programs such as screenings, educational activities and support groups. Also, the alliance has facilitated a broader spectrum of physician specialties, services and technology.

Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw is an 86-bed acute care and skilled nursing facility. Part of the New Hanover Health Network, this community hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including same-day surgery, endoscopy, emergency care, physical therapy, comprehensive imaging and laboratory testing, and more. All rooms are private.

Greater Accessibility    back to top

Northern New Hanover County and Pender County have seen a dramatic surge in growth in the last several years, bringing with it an increased demand for health care services. The largest medical practice in Wilmington, Wilmington Health Associates, has a major satellite center at Porters Neck. That office serves the local citizenry as well as a large number of Hampstead residents who are grateful to have outstanding doctors much closer to where they live.

A group of 105 local doctors plan to build a medical office/retail complex on 50 acres of a 250 acre tract along U.S. 17 in New Hanover County near the Pender County line. Eventually, they may include a new hospital as well.

It's All Here    back to top

An integral part of our health and medical care infrastructure are legions of freestanding clinics and medical offices of all descriptions and sizes. Rehabilitation, surgery, urgent care, orthopedic and specialty centers, diagnostic clinics, infusion therapy, dialysis, and imaging are among the many support services. And, supporting the support services is another industry – retail businesses including pharmacies, opticians, prosthetic devices, surgical garments, home medical supplies, and so forth.

Alternatives Abound    back to top

Alternative and complementary health care is widely available in coastal communities. You’ll easily find chiropractors, massage therapists, herbalists, acupuncturists, and others who practice Naturopathic Medicine, Chinese Medicine and biofeedback. Many businesses in our area focus on natural remedies, nutrition, holistic health, wellness, organically produced foods and healthy lifestyles. Wilmington even offers holistic veterinary services, chiropractic care and acupuncture.

We’ve got some excellent retirement and progressive care communities which appeal to many of our seniors, plus assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care residences. In-home services, both medical and non-medical, are available in all counties, as is hospice care. Adult day care centers are located only in Wilmington, but they accept out-of-area participants.

We Have It All    back to top

Southeastern North Carolina has a full complement of support groups and civic health organizations, too; the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce lists 28, from AIDS/HIV to Unite for Sight. Each county has a governmental department that acts as a resource for seniors and can help locate needed services such as Meals on Wheels and transportation for medical appointments. They are: the New Hanover County Department of Aging, in Wilmington, Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc., in Bolivia, and Pender Adult Services in Burgaw.