WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Novant Health received approval from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to build Novant Health Lincoln Medical Center, a 24-bed community hospital in the Denver area of eastern Lincoln County. The hospital will be located at the intersection of N.C. Highway 73 and North Ingleside Farm Road and is expected to open in 2031.

"The state's approval is a critical milestone in our efforts to expand healthcare access in Lincoln County," said Chris Bowe, senior vice president and president of Novant Health Charlotte Region. "We've heard from our patients about the challenges of traveling for care, especially during emergencies or ongoing treatment. Bringing Novant Health's acute care closer to home can make a meaningful difference for patients and their families, and this hospital will help ensure the region has access to remarkable, patient-centered care for years to come."

In addition to a 24-hour emergency department, Novant Health Lincoln Medical Center will feature a range of inpatient and outpatient services and a dedicated cesarean-section operating room. The hospital is designed to meet the healthcare needs of Lincoln County residents today while providing flexibility to support the community's future growth.

The hospital will also complement Novant Health's existing network of primary care, specialty care and outpatient locations throughout the region, helping connect patients to coordinated care and the resources they need at every stage of their healthcare journey.