Pender County Commissioners Approve Hospital Ownership transfer to Novant Health; Closing anticipated by mid-October

Pender County Commissioners Approve Hospital Ownership transfer to Novant Health; Closing anticipated by mid-October

Last night the Pender County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of Pender Medical Center in Burgaw to Novant Health. This transfer is part of a larger plan to increase access to health care services across Pender County. As part of the agreement, which was announced in June, Novant Health will invest $50 million to improve the hospital over the next 10 years.

When the transaction is finalized by mid-October, Pender County will retain a majority of representatives on the hospital’s board of trustees.

Novant Health Pender Medical Center is a 25-bed critical access hospital with 43 skilled nursing home beds in Burgaw. The hospital offers a range of services including emergency care, surgery, imaging, infusion therapy and skilled nursing, in addition to Novant Health Home Care.

See below for media statements from Novant Health and Pender County:

• “We are thrilled to celebrate this landmark agreement with Pender County Commissioners that secures a healthier future for the entire community. A strong team is already in place at Novant Health Pender Medical Center, and we look forward to building on their legacy of care in the years to come.” -Jeff Lindsay, executive vice president and chief operating officer
• “This is an exciting and historic day for Pender County, as we take another step toward improving Pender Medical Center in Burgaw to be a community general hospital within five years. Since the beginning of these negotiations, the Board of Commissioners has been united in securing the best possible future for our hospital and all our citizens, and we have accomplished that by securing a $50 million investment in our hospital that will bring new medical facilities and service providers to Pender Medical Center. The Board’s approval of this agreement today delivers on our promise to ensure the best access and care for all who need it, today and in the future.”- Jackie Newton, Chair of the Board of Commissioners
• “Our goal is to provide the highest quality healthcare to Pender County’s residents by advancing our community’s health and well-being. With this investment commitment, we will maintain an accessible healthcare destination for our growing community and provide new healthcare career opportunities for our residents.” Wendy Fletcher-Hardee, Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners and a county representative appointed to the Pender Medical Center Board of Trustees