Debra Clark Jones Associate Vice President for Community Health | Duke University Hospital
Debra Clark Jones Associate Vice President for Community Health | Duke University Hospital
UNC Health and Duke Health, two leading academic health systems, have announced a partnership to create North Carolina's only stand-alone children's hospital. This initiative aims to establish NC Children's, a private, tax-exempt organization classified as a 501(c)(3), featuring a 500-bed facility, an outpatient care center, and a behavioral health center for children.
The collaboration marks the culmination of over ten years of planning between the two institutions. In early 2024, North Carolina provided an initial $320 million investment which helped advance discussions. The comprehensive children's health campus will be located in the Triangle area and will include research and educational facilities supported by both universities' medical schools.
Wesley Burks, M.D., CEO of UNC Health and dean of the UNC School of Medicine, expressed his enthusiasm: “This is an unprecedented partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, aimed at elevating the care that’s available for all children in North Carolina.” Craig Albanese, M.D., CEO of Duke University Health System echoed this sentiment: “Children are the heart of our future... This is a tremendous and unique opportunity to work together to reimagine how we deliver life-changing care.”
Mary E. Klotman, M.D., executive vice president for Health Affairs at Duke University added: “This dedicated children’s hospital will reflect our commitment to providing best possible care for children – not only now but for generations to come.”
Both institutions aim to enhance their clinical programs and research portfolios through this partnership. The NC Children’s campus is planned to break ground by 2027 with completion expected around six years later.
NC Children’s will operate on more than 100 acres with facilities such as an ambulatory surgical center and medical office building. It will also host play areas and rehabilitation centers alongside translational research capabilities.
NC Children’s will maintain academic affiliations with both universities' schools of medicine while developing a practice model allowing providers from both Duke and UNC to retain their academic appointments.
The new hospital is anticipated to open in the early 2030s with other services potentially opening earlier.
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