The University of North Carolina Wilmington received a green light this week from the UNC System Board of Governors to proceed with the steps necessary to seek accreditation for a new four-year medical school that would also offer a three-year accelerated program for primary-care doctors and specialties in high demand.
It has been more than 50 years since North Carolina launched a public medical school, and supporters say the southeastern region of the state faces a significant shortage of physicians.
Board member Art Pope, a former state budget director, said while he would support the initial resolution, the medical school proposal would need to be thoroughly vetted…