Cape Fear Valley Health has received a $1.5 million grant from The Duke Endowment to support start-up operational costs for the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine.

The grant will help fund critical early infrastructure and operational needs for the medical school, which is scheduled to welcome its first class of 64 students in 2026, pending approval from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Located on the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus, the school is part of a strategic partnership between Cape Fear Valley Health and Methodist University to train and retain the next generation of physicians in the region.

“This grant from The Duke Endowment is a vital investment in the future of healthcare for our region,” said Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, in a press release. “It will allow us to build the foundation needed to educate and train the next generation of physicians right here in our community, strengthening our ability to care for those we serve today and for years to come.”

“We are deeply grateful to The Duke Endowment for their generous $1.5 million gift, which will play a pivotal role in establishing the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine,” said Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the School of Medicine Dr. Hershey Bell in a press release. “This support will enhance healthcare access and foster workforce development in southeastern North Carolina, empowering us to train the next generation of physicians dedicated to serving our community’s diverse needs.”

The Duke Endowment is a private foundation established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke. It supports efforts in North Carolina and South Carolina to nurture children, promote health, educate minds, and enrich spirits.