North Carolina Healthcare Association

02/20/2026

NCHA is proud to host our 2nd annual Virtual Healthcare Career Day, now available on demand anytime, any day!

In partnership with the NC Public Schools, this virtual program gives middle and high school students the flexibility to explore careers in healthcare at their convenience.

Students can hear directly from North Carolina healthcare professionals, including nurses, speech-language pathologists, therapists, mechanics and other essential members of the healthcare team, about the wide range of roles across the field and the pathways to get there.

Watch the full program here: https://bit.ly/4c0PLqZ

🌟 Please share with a student, educator, school leader or anyone curious about the many opportunities within the world of healthcare.

02/19/2026

Day two of NCHA’s 2026 Winter Membership Meeting focused on advocacy, AI and access to care.

James Tucker shared an NCHA advocacy update, followed by a timely panel on responsible AI regulation in healthcare. Moderated by Dr. S. David McSwain of UNC Health, leaders from the Coalition for Health AI and FirstHealth of the Carolinas discussed emerging regulations and the ethical integration of AI across health systems.

David Lloyd of Inseparable highlighted how behavioral health parity and state insurance laws can expand access to care, and attendees heard a video message from Governor Josh Stein.

02/19/2026

Scotland Health Care System is highlighting the importance of Rural Health Clinic accreditation as Laurinburg Family Practice and Urgent Care becomes the first in its network to achieve accreditation through The Joint Commission.

Rural Health Clinic accreditation reinforces nationally recognized standards for patient safety, quality of care and care coordination — critical in communities facing provider shortages, transportation barriers and higher rates of chronic illness.

This is the first of five planned accreditations across the Scotland Physicians Network, reflecting a systemwide commitment to strengthening access and advancing consistent standards of care across rural southeastern North Carolina. More here: https://bit.ly/4alzagg

Scotland Health proudly recognizes the importance of Rural Health Clinic (RHC) accreditation—an achievement that reinforces the system’s mission to provide safe, high quality, and accessible care to patients across rural southeastern North Carolina.

02/18/2026

Today kicked off NCHA’s 2026 Winter Membership Meeting: Shaping the Future — Strategy, Innovation and Advocacy in an Era of Change in Cary, NC.

This morning’s Rural Pre-Conference brought together hospital and community leaders to focus on practical strategies to strengthen and sustain rural healthcare across North Carolina.

NCHA Board Chair Brian Floyd of ECU Health and President & CEO Josh Dobson welcomed attendees, followed by insights from Nate Kaufman of Kaufman Strategic Advisors on the future of healthcare delivery and Dr. Anu Arasu of London Bioidentical Hormones on leading through change.

We look forward to continuing these meaningful conversations tomorrow!

02/18/2026

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced 22 measles cases in North Carolina since late December 2025 and released updated guidance for providers as cases continue to rise.

NCDHHS urges MMR vaccination for all unvaccinated individuals ages 1 and older and recommends providers consider early vaccination for infants 6–11 months living in or routinely visiting areas with community transmission, including Buncombe County and parts of the Charlotte metropolitan region.

Measles is highly contagious but preventable. Providers are encouraged to review the latest guidance and counsel patients accordingly. More information: https://bit.ly/4s1QRaJ

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced 22 measles cases in North Carolina since late December 2025. As cases continue to rise across the state, NCDHHS urges vaccination for everyone ages one year and older and recommends health care providers con...

02/17/2026

Novant Health is expanding access to multispecialty care in Wilkes County with four new clinics in Wilkesboro.

New locations for orthopedics & sports medicine, pain management, brain & spine surgery, and diabetes management are bringing coordinated specialty services closer to home for patients across the region.

By co-locating primary and subspecialty care, Novant Health is strengthening access to comprehensive, whole-person care — helping ensure patients can receive the services they need, when and where they need them.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZDPlzp

Novant Health is enhancing access to multispecialty care in Wilkes County with the addition of four new clinics in Wilkesboro.

02/17/2026

WakeMed Health & Hospitals has joined the statewide network for North Carolina’s Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP), strengthening access to coordinated medical and behavioral health services for children and youth served by child welfare.

Managed by Blue Cross NC under the name Healthy Blue Care Together, the CFSP is a first-of-its-kind, statewide Medicaid Managed Care plan designed to provide seamless, integrated care for children and families across all 100 counties.

By participating in this initiative, WakeMed reinforces its commitment to whole-person care and to improving health outcomes for some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable children and families.

Eight of the state’s major health systems — Advocate Health Care, Cape Fear Valley Health, Cone Health, Duke Health, ECU Health, HCA Healthcare, Novant Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals — are now contracted with Healthy Blue Care Together, reflecting strong collaboration across North Carolina’s healthcare community. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Ou1rso

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 17, 2026) – WakeMed has signed an agreement to join the statewide network for North Carolina’s Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP) for the covered services that WakeMed provides.

02/16/2026

Access to specialized pediatric care is critical for the health and well-being of North Carolina’s children.

Carteret Health Care is partnering with ECU Health and James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital to bring dedicated newborn and pediatric hospitalists to Carteret County, expanding access to expert inpatient care for infants and children in the region.

Through this collaboration, families benefit from on-site pediatric specialists managing inpatient needs, strengthened coordination between local providers and regional experts, and streamlined pathways for higher-acuity care when needed.

This partnership reflects how collaboration across North Carolina’s health systems enhances capacity, aligns clinical expertise and supports stronger pediatric care delivery across the state. More here: https://bit.ly/4bYzx1s

Home • Newsroom • News & Press Releases • Carteret Health Care Welcomes ECU Health Pediatric Hospitalists to Serve Local Children

02/16/2026

This Valentine’s Day, the NICU team at Cape Fear Valley Health created meaningful moments for families as they care for their newest arrivals.

Across North Carolina, hospital teams go beyond clinical care — bringing compassion and comfort to patients and their loved ones.

See photos below💕⤵️

02/13/2026

A small act of kindness can make a big difference. 💛

The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is inviting patients, families, team members and community members to participate in its Acts of Kindness campaign.

By submitting a heart in someone’s honor, you can help fill the hallways of Cape Fear Valley Health with messages of encouragement and support. These are bright reminders that no one is alone. More: https://bit.ly/4agrfAL

Cape Fear Valley Health

February 12, 2026     General News A small act of kindness can make a big difference, and this month, the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is inviting the community to help spread encouragement through its Acts of Kindness campaign.Through the initiative, patients, families, employees and commu...

02/13/2026

Safe, stable housing is foundational to good health.

Advocate Health is continuing its long-standing commitment to addressing homelessness and housing instability in Mecklenburg County through additional support of A Home For All.

Beyond financial support, this work includes land contributions for future affordable housing, commitments within The Pearl CLT innovation district, and innovative care models like street psychiatry — bringing behavioral health services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Through partnerships with organizations such as Atrium Health and Roof Above, Advocate Health is helping connect housing stability with wraparound health services. Read more here: https://bit.ly/40aHV6M

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Advocate Health believes everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Housing isn’t just a basic need — it’s the foundation for good health. Building upon its years-long commitment to address key community challenges — including homelessness — across its geographic foot...

02/12/2026

Novant Health has announced major plans to expand healthcare access in the Wilmington region, including a new heart and vascular patient tower, expanded outpatient cardiovascular services, a new 60-bed rehabilitation hospital and updates to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

As southeastern North Carolina continues to grow, these investments aim to strengthen care delivery and meet rising demand for heart, vascular and rehabilitation services for years to come. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4twSoab

Novant Health’s board of trustees has approved construction plans to launch the healthcare infrastructure needed to meet the Wilmington region’s needs for decades to come.