BREAKING: North Carolina’s newest medical school, the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, has just received official accreditation, paving the way for its inaugural class to start in July 2026. This critical milestone marks a significant step in addressing the urgent shortage of medical professionals in the region.
Located on the campus of Cape Fear Medical Center, this state-of-the-art facility represents a robust collaboration between Methodist University and the Cape Fear Valley Health System. The school, which boasts a budget of $65 million, aims to combat the pressing need for doctors across all specialties.
Dr. Hershey Bell, the Founding Dean of the school, emphasized the urgency of this initiative:
“We are short of doctors in every single specialty in this region, and the purpose of this medical school is to correct that.”
In a matter of days, the school will begin accepting applications from prospective students. Dr. Bell anticipates around 2,000 to 2,500 applications, with plans to interview approximately 350 candidates this fall or winter. Ultimately, only 64 students will be accepted into the charter class, highlighting the competitive nature of this new program.
The school has already hired over 50 faculty and staff members and will utilize more than 200 clinical faculty from the Cape Fear Valley Health System, ensuring a high-quality education for its students.
As the school gears up for this exciting launch, community leaders and health professionals express optimism about the potential impact on local healthcare. The formation of this medical school not only promises to enhance medical education but also aims to significantly improve healthcare access in the Fayetteville area.
Stay tuned for updates as the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine prepares to transform the healthcare landscape in North Carolina. The countdown has begun—applications are set to open within the next 10 days.
