HAMPSTEAD, N.C. - Novant Health has applied for state approval to add a freestanding emergency department in Hampstead, under the state's certificate of need process.

"Novant Health is investing in the needed healthcare infrastructure across our Coastal Region to meet the rapid population growth we've seen in southeastern North Carolina," said Laurie Whalin, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region. "We're excited about these plans that would offer a new access point for emergency care, complementing the resources at our Scotts Hill campus and at Novant Health Pender Medical Center in Burgaw."

Pender County was the fifth fastest growing county in North Carolina between 2020 and 2024, adding more than 8,500 residents, according to the state, which predicts Pender's population will top 75,000 by 2030.

The 24/7 emergency department is slated for land near the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 in Hampstead.

"Eastern Pender County is driving our community's rapid population growth and this will serve as a convenient site for needed care," said Ruth Glaser, president, Novant Health Pender Medical Center. "We also continue to grow capabilities at Pender Medical Center in support of our commitment to add services and support rural healthcare."

Novant Health continues to deliver on its $50 million commitment to expand access to care in Pender County.

Pender Medical Center has recruited two full-time hospitalists and opened a new infusion center on the campus. Novant Health has also launched a rural track of its family medicine residency program in partnership with Black River Health Services. This program, which recently welcomed its second class of physicians continuing their training, is designed to address the shortage of primary care physicians by placing medical residents in the heart of rural communities.

For more information on how Novant Health is advancing high-quality, accessible care in the Coastal Region, please visit: NovantHealth.org/CoastalNC.