Health care has always been one of the largest and most resilient pillars of our regional economy. From the operating rooms of Cape Fear Valley Health to the family clinics in our smaller towns, this sector employs tens of thousands across Cumberland, Harnett, Sampson, Bladen, Hoke, Robeson and Moore counties. It is not only a source of care, but of jobs, research, education and hope. Today, that pillar is getting stronger.
One of the most transformative developments is the new Methodist University–Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which has just received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This milestone puts Fayetteville on the national map as a center for physician education. For decades, we’ve watched our best and brightest students leave the region to pursue medical training elsewhere. Soon, they will be able to stay here, learn here and ultimately serve here. That’s how communities build lasting health and economic vitality—from within.
The ripple effect of this progress extends beyond the hospital walls. The Harnett Behavioral Health Center, another recent advancement in our region, underscores a growing recognition that mental and behavioral health are central to our community’s well-being. Access to care, especially in rural areas, is both a humanitarian and economic necessity. Healthier people make for a stronger workforce, and a stronger workforce drives a more competitive economy…