Novant receives state approval for 32-bed hospital in Monroe

Novant Health Inc. has gained state regulatory approval to open a community hospital in Union County, one of the state's largest suburban communities.

The N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation posted Wednesday its approval of Novant's certificate-of-need application to spend $346.1 million on a 32-bed hospital at 4719 Weddington Road in Monroe.

Wesley Chapel Medical Center is projected to open in 2030.

In addition to 32 beds, Novant Health Wesley Chapel Medical Center will feature: an emergency department, procedure rooms, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, labor and delivery, general medicine and surgical specialty care, with space to expand as future needs evolve.

The hospital will support a continuum of care for patients, joining a well-established group of Novant Health primary and specialty care clinics.

"The state's approval of this facility underscores the critical need for acute and outpatient services in this growing area," said Dr. Sid Fletcher, president of Novant's Charlotte region.

Regulators also approved for Union bed expansions at two Atrium Health hospitals.

Union Medical Center gains 46 beds at a cost of $99.2 million, while Union West Medical Center also gains 46 beds at a cost of $164.9 million.

Separately, Novant gained approval for a 20-bed, $251.3 million community hospital in Leland, transferring those beds from its Brunswick Medical Center.

The system also was approved to spend $24.2 million to open a freestanding emergency department in the Brunswick suburb of Carolina Shores.

"We're pleased to receive the state's support for our vision to advance access to both hospital and emergency department care throughout Brunswick County," said Laurie Whalin, president of acute care operations for Novant's Coastal region.

During the same CON application cycle, Novant was authorized to open a 34-bed Asheville Medical Center.

Set to be located at 433 Long Shoals Road, on a 24-acre site near the Biltmore Park Town Square shopping mall off Interstate 26, the $322.7 million hospital is slated to open in 2030.

The 2025 State Medical Facilities Plan listed a need for an additional 129 acute-care beds in the Asheville area. The plan is an annual document that contains policies and methodologies used in determining need for new health care facilities and services.

State health regulators awarded the remaining 95 beds to Mission health, representing a $198.5 million capital investment.

Novant operates 19 hospitals systemwide, including Forsyth, Clemmons, Kernersville and Thomasville medical centers and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Novant has nearly 40,000 employees, of which 8,145 are in Forsyth County as one of the Triad's largest employers.

Besides New Hanover Regional and Brunswick medical centers, Novant operates Scotts Hill Medical Center near the New Hanover County and Pender County line.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM.