Dear UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine Leaders,
I am pleased to share the formation of a new office dedicated to planning and eventually opening the new, free-standing North Carolina Children’s Hospital, which will serve children and families across our state and region. This project was made possible due to a generous investment of $320 million by the NC General Assembly. The overall size and scope of this project will result in an investment of over $2.0 billion.
There is significant work required to develop, site, and open this hospital around 2030. Initial work will include site selection, working with potential partners, establishment of a governance structure, design scope, service line development and philanthropy.
To perform this work, it will require a dedicated team to make all of it happen. Therefore, I’ve asked Andy Willis to lead this work as the Executive Chief Planning and Development Officer. Also co-leading these efforts will be Ian Buchanan serving as Chief Project Officer and Erin Edwards serving as Vice President of Project Management.
Over the next few weeks, we will look to backfill their current roles. Andy, Ian, and Erin will collaborate closely with myself and Dr. Stephanie Davis as well as many others as we work together on this project that is so important for the children and families of North Carolina for generations to come.
– Wesley
Wesley Burks, MD
CEO, UNC Health
Dean, UNC School of Medicine