Methodist University, Cape Fear Valley Hospital partner on new medical school in Fayetteville

Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Hospital on Monday announced a partnership to open a new medical school in Fayetteville. It will be the sixth in the state.

Methodist already is home to a nursing program and a physicians' assistant program.

"We prepare physician assistants, we prepare physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses and health care administrators already, and this is just going to add to that," said Methodist President Dr. Stanley Wearden.

The first cohort of students will matriculate to Methodist University Medical School in July 2026. Classes will be held in a new $50 million facility at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, and leaders hope that graduates will live, work and stay in that community.

Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, said, "Seventy percent of the students, if they do their medical school and their physician residency in a community, they stay. That makes sense because they develop relationships. Their mentors are here. Their mentors might offer them a job."

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2034, the nation will need up to another 48,000 primary care physicians and 77,100 specialty care physicians to meet the needs of the nation.

"There are great opportunities for collaboration here," Wearden said.

The new medical school is also expected to create jobs, attract new businesses and provide a significant boost to the local economy.