The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine has received official candidacy designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), an important benchmark as the school aims to change the future of healthcare in the region.

The LCME, which is the recognized accrediting body for medical education programs leading to MD degrees, informed Methodist University of its decision on Wednesday – moving the proposed School of Medicine from an “applicant” designation to a “candidate” designation. The decision will lead to a site visit from the LCME in the spring of 2025 before it reviews and votes on preliminary accreditation for the School of Medicine as early as the fall of 2025.

A preliminary accreditation would allow the School of Medicine to begin recruiting students as it aims to welcome its first cohort in the summer of 2026 – pending approvals by both the LCME and SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges).

“This is a significant milestone for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine," said Dr. Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University, in a press release. “By granting this candidate status, the LCME is saying that they believe we are moving towards what is necessary for accreditation. This shows Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health have the necessary resources to begin a medical school in our community.”

The decision comes on the heels of a historic groundbreaking for the School of Medicine in September as construction began on the school’s new $60-plus-million, five-story facility on the western edge of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus along Village Drive. Cape Fear Valley Health is building the 127,500-square-foot, 200-room facility that will feature learning centers, state-of-the-art classrooms, community and multi-purpose rooms, student lounges, a commons area, virtual anatomy laboratory, fully-equipped standardized patient lab, conference rooms, entrance plaza and a courtyard.

“We’re excited to have reached LCME candidacy," said Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, in a press release. "This brings us closer to training future physicians who will serve and improve the health of our community. It reflects our team’s hard work, and we’re looking forward to next steps.”

Once formally accredited, the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine will have a longstanding impact on the community with more than 250 new jobs and graduating physicians each year (initial class of 64 students with an anticipated growth to over 100 students per class in the coming years). The school will combine the expertise and resources of both institutions to provide students with unparalleled educational and clinical experience while creating opportunities for students to learn in a collaborative and innovative environment, with access to cutting-edge technology in the brand-new facility.

The School of Medicine has a growing list of faculty and staff, who have had a major hand in the LCME process.

“This is a testament to the faculty and staff who’ve been working diligently to prepare all of the necessary materials for this submission, including curriculum, student support services, faculty affairs, financial services, and IT infrastructure," said Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of the School of Medicine, in a press release. "We were able to achieve this significant milestone because of them.”