North Carolina’s New Medical School Gains Accreditation, Opens Applications

URGENT UPDATE: The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine has just received official accreditation, a major milestone for North Carolina’s newest medical institution. Classes are set to begin in July 2026, as the school gears up to recruit its inaugural class of 64 students.

This newly accredited medical school, located on the campus of Cape Fear Medical Center, represents a significant investment of $65 million in healthcare education. The collaboration between Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health System aims to address the pressing shortage of doctors in the region.

Dr. Hershey Bell, the Founding Dean of the school, emphasized the urgent need for new medical professionals, stating, “We are short of doctors in every single specialty in this region, and the purpose of this medical school is to correct that.”

In less than 10 days, the medical school will begin accepting applications from prospective students. Dr. Bell anticipates receiving between 2,000 to 2,500 applications for the program. The admissions process will include interviews for about 350 candidates this fall or winter.

The school has already made strides in building its faculty, hiring more than 50 staff members and planning to engage over 200 clinical faculty from Cape Fear Valley Health System. This initiative is poised to transform healthcare delivery in the region, providing essential training for future doctors.

As the school prepares to launch its application process, the community is invited to engage and share this exciting news, which promises to enhance healthcare accessibility in North Carolina.

Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds!