Transformative partnership designed to improve health equity across N.C.
What happens when two health care leaders come together for the people of North Carolina?
More accessible, high-quality care across the state is the goal of a new partnership between Duke Health and Novant Health.
“We’re taking bold steps to bring the excellence and innovation of Duke Health to more patients, in more ways, across more communities.” ”Craig Albanese, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Duke University Health System
The two health systems plan to build new medical office campuses across the state that will improve access to both primary care and advanced specialty treatments, reduce wait times through more locations and appointment availability and empower patients with more opportunities to connect with specialists virtually. Construction is expected to begin in summer and fall 2025, and although the final number of sites has not been determined, each site will open approximately 18 months after construction begins.
“We’re taking bold steps to bring the excellence and innovation of Duke Health to more patients, in more ways, across more communities,” said Craig Albanese, M.D., chief executive officer of Duke University Health System, “and we’re energized by the possibilities of what we can accomplish in collaboration with Novant Health for communities across our region.”
Novant Health is an integrated network of hundreds of medical facilities across the Carolinas, and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, where its largest hospital is located.
As both health systems work together to expand their reach across North Carolina, they hope to help all North Carolinians receive optimal and personalized care and accelerate the pace of medical innovation.
“We have a shared vision for what health care can look like,” said Carl S. Armato, C.P.A., M.B.A., president and chief executive officer of Novant Health. “Our collaboration means the communities we serve together will benefit from our combined focus on quality, innovation and excellence in patient care and experience.”
The new partnership is just one of many initiatives in which the Duke health system and university is advancing health equity efforts by focusing on community engagement, policy advocacy and health disparities in under-served populations. Others efforts include:
- The Duke Center for Research to Advance Healthcare Equity (REACH Equity) focuses on developing and testing interventions to improve the quality of patient-centered care and address racial and ethnic disparities in health.
- The MaryAnn Black Distinguished Health Equity Symposium reinforces Duke’s commitment to meaningful community engagement by working collaboratively to understand and address the root causes of health disparities.
- The Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity supports academic global surgery and health equity around the world, with a focus on under-served areas in North Carolina.
- The Duke Cancer Institute has dedicated its community outreach efforts to medically under-served and rural populations, with plans to expand engagement with Native American and LGBTQ+ groups.
- The Health Equity Advocates & Liaisons (HEAL) Partnership is between Duke and AME Zion churches in North Carolina. The effort aims to reduce health disparities, cultivate trust in clinical research and bridge the gap between medical development and community needs.
- Community Initiative to Advance Health Equity Together Through Education and Outreach provides funding to community-serving organizations to enhance capacity for health-promoting activities in marginalized communities.
