The Future of Medicine Begins This Summer

On July 20, Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine will welcome its first class of students, bringing a long-awaited vision to life for Fayetteville and southeastern North Carolina.

The school will open its doors to 64 students chosen from a competitive pool of over 1,500 applicants from North Carolina and across the country. For Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health, the inaugural class marks more than the beginning of a new academic year. It represents a major investment in the future of healthcare in this region.

"This is a huge moment for our area," said Adriane Clark, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. "There has been so much excitement surrounding the School of Medicine because people understand what it means for the future. This is about growing our own physicians, investing in students and creating better access to care for generations to come."

Dr. Hershey Bell, Dean of the School of Medicine, said welcoming the first class is both exciting and meaningful after years of planning.

"It is both deeply gratifying and humbling," Bell said. "For several years, this has been an idea sustained by vision, collaboration and belief. To now welcome students transforms that vision into reality."

"We recognize that the demands of medical education are significant, and we are committed to creating an environment where students can thrive both personally and professionally." - Hershey Bell, MD, Dean

Bell said the school was created in response to healthcare needs across southeastern North Carolina, where many communities continue to face physician shortages, limited access to care and poor health outcomes.

"This region has long faced challenges in physician supply, healthcare access and health outcomes," Bell said. "Establishing a medical school here is a strategic response to those needs."

The school's first class is intentionally small, allowing students to receive more personalized support and training. Bell said the students selected stood out not only for their academic success, but also for their commitment to service, resilience and community involvement.

"What stood out was not just academic excellence, but alignment with our mission," Bell said. "These students demonstrated resilience, service orientation, emotional intelligence and a genuine commitment to community."

The new $65 million building on Cape Fear Valley Medical Center's campus was designed to give students a modern and collaborative learning environment. Students will have access to digital classrooms, wellness spaces, community rooms and small learning groups that will help them build relationships and support one another throughout medical school.

"One of the things that makes our school unique is that students will begin hands-on learning from day one," Clark said. "They will work with standardized patients early in the curriculum, which gives them valuable experience and helps them build confidence much earlier in their training."

Training will take place within a fully integrated academic health system, allowing students to learn directly from Cape Fear Valley Health physicians and clinical teams.

"Students will learn not only clinical skills, but also how care is delivered within a complex health system through interprofessional collaboration and real-world practice," Bell said.

Over the next four years, students will gain experience across Cape Fear Valley Health hospitals, clinics and outpatient practices throughout the region. Bell said training in Fayetteville and surrounding communities is especially important because physicians are more likely to stay and practice where they complete their education.

"Training in this environment exposes students to the realities of community-based care, including resource constraints, rural health challenges and population health needs," Bell said. "It also fosters a sense of connection and responsibility to the region."

The School of Medicine is also placing a strong focus on student well-being by offering mental health resources, mentorship programs and academic support.

"We recognize that the demands of medical education are significant, and we are committed to creating an environment where students can thrive both personally and professionally," Bell said.

Outside the classroom, students will be encouraged to take part in community service projects, outreach programs and local health initiatives.

"These experiences are integrated into the curriculum, not peripheral to it," Bell said. "The goal is for students to understand the communities they serve, build relationships and contribute in meaningful ways beyond traditional clinical encounters."

Community excitement surrounding the school continues to grow. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for June 11, followed by an open house on June 12. The school's first White Coat Ceremony will take place in September.

For Clark, seeing the school come together has been inspiring.

"It has been amazing to see everything come together," Clark said. "You can feel the excitement from students, faculty, staff and the community. This is something people have been waiting for, and now it is finally becoming real."

Bell said he hopes the first class will be remembered as the group that set the tone for the future.

"I hope that they embody the mission, demonstrate excellence and establish a culture of compassion, service and integrity," Bell said.

As the first students prepare to arrive this summer, the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine is preparing to do more than educate future doctors. It is helping build a healthier future for southeastern North Carolina.