$1.5 Million Grant from Duke Endowment to Launch Fayetteville's New Med School

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cape Fear Valley Health has secured a significant $1.5 million grant from The Duke Endowment to support the initial operational costs of the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine. The funding is a major boost for the medical school, which is set to open its doors to its first class of 64 students in 2026, pending final approval.

The grant will be used to establish the critical early infrastructure and operational needs for the school, which is a key component of a strategic partnership between Cape Fear Valley Health and Methodist University. This collaboration is designed to address the region's physician shortage by training and retaining medical professionals locally.

Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, emphasized the grant's importance. “This grant from The Duke Endowment is a vital investment in the future of healthcare for our region,” he stated. “It will allow us to build the foundation needed to educate and train the next generation of physicians right here in our community, strengthening our ability to care for those we serve today and for years to come.”

Dr. Hershey Bell, founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the School of Medicine, echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the "generous $1.5 million gift." He highlighted the grant's potential to "enhance healthcare access and foster workforce development in southeastern North Carolina," enabling the school to train future physicians dedicated to serving the community's diverse needs.

The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine will be situated on the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus. Its establishment is a direct response to the need for more medical professionals in the area, offering a path for local students to pursue a career in medicine without leaving the region.

The Duke Endowment, a Charlotte-based private foundation, was established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke. The organization has a long history of supporting initiatives in North Carolina and South Carolina focused on health, education, and community well-being. Since its inception, The Duke Endowment has distributed more than $5 billion in grants, making it a significant force in regional philanthropy. While it shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, all three are separate and distinct organizations. The grant to Cape Fear Valley Health marks another chapter in the Endowment's commitment to promoting health and education in the Carolinas.