The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors voted Thursday to let UNC-Wilmington move forward with the planning process for its proposed medical school. It’s the next step — though an unusual one — in the university’s effort to mend healthcare inequity by increasing access in Southeastern North Carolina.
The university announced its interest last month in opening a medical school that would offer a traditional four-year medical degree and a three-year accelerated track, leading to the resolution. But seeking approval to formally plan a project of this nature is outside of the norm.
With the large scope of the venture and because it will understandably garner a lot of attention, the Board wanted to take the additional measure of reviewing it ahead of time and leaving space for questions, UNC System President Peter Hans told news media…