A group of active and retired Fayetteville business leaders are trying to raise $12 million in donations to help establish the new medical school that Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health plan to open on Village Drive in July 2026.
The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine was first announced in early 2023. It is expected to cost $60 million to build, plus another $60 million to furnish and equip the school and cover other start-up costs, said Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski.
And in related news, the university this month announced the leadership team it has hired to support the school’s dean, Hershey Bell.
The medical school will bring doctors to Fayetteville and help address a physician shortage, according to Methodist President Stanley T. Wearden.
“Bottom line is, it’s going to dramatically improve health care outcomes in this county and in this region of the state,” he said.
And a study by N.C. State University professor emeritus Mike Walden estimated the medical school will boost the area’s economy by $72 million over its first 10 years, Wearden said.
Cape Fear Valley is paying for the $60 million building costs plus $30 million of the $60 million in start-up costs, Nagowski said.
That leaves $30 million. Of that cost, Nagowski said the university and health system will ask state and local governments to provide $10 million. The remaining $20 million will come from philanthropy, he said. The local business leaders are pursuing $12 million of the $20 million.
$7 million pledged toward $12 million goal
So far, the capital campaign has $7 million in pledges from eight individuals and families, said Ralph Huff, a retired Fayetteville businessman. He and his wife, Linda, have pledged $1 million. A reception Thursday evening to announce the $20 million capital campaign was held at the Huffs’ home. About 60 people attended.
“It will do more for our community than anything I know that’s happened since I’ve been here. And I’ve been here a long time,” Fayetteville developer Franklin Clark told the group as he asked for donations. “And this will elevate our community to a level of sophistication, and finally get Fayetteville in the light that I think all of us want.”
Clark has pledged $1 million.
The $20 million campaign was inspired when Norwood and Mary Lynn Bryan last fall announced they would donate $1 million, Huff said.
After their donation was announced, Huff said, he and Clark talked about it and decided to start the campaign to continue to raise additional donations..
The $7 million in initial pledges includes $1 million each from Clark, the Bryans, the Huffs, Murray and Nancy Duggins, Will Gillis, and Wes and Lucy Jones. Sammy and Carol Short have pledged $500,000, Huff said, and the Allison family of Systel Business Equipment has pledged $500,000.
People who would like to donate can contact Methodist University at 910-630-7050, or the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation at 910-615-1435.
The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine is set to break ground this summer on Village Drive near Roxie Avenue, on the campus of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Nagowski said. The five-story building will have 125,000 square feet.
The school plans to begin teaching its first 80 students in July 2026, Methodist spokesman Brad Johnson said. “By 2032, the intention is to increase class size to approximately 120 students per year, for a total of approximately 480 students,” he said.
By 2030, the school anticipates having 840 faculty and staff, he said.
University picks medical school senior leaders
Methodist announced on March 13 the leadership team that will support Dean Hershey Bell as the School of Medicine launches. It includes:
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at 910-261-4710 and pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
This story was made possible by contributions to CityView News Fund, a 501c3 charitable organization committed to an informed democracy.
