The wait is over — a new era of care is here. Families in northern New Hanover County, Pender County and along the rapidly growing U.S. 17 corridor now have a hospital right in their community.
Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center opened to patients June 16, bringing expanded access to emergency, surgical and hospital care in one of the Coastal Region’s fastest-growing areas. Located at 151 Scotts Hill Medical Drive, the 250,000-square-foot hospital anchors a new medical campus designed to make care easier to reach.
The opening marks an important milestone. The 250,000-square-foot hospital is concrete evidence of Novant Health’s $294 million investment in local health care and is the first stand-alone hospital to open in New Hanover County in nearly 60 years.
For patients and families, that means:
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A new hospital designed around patient needs
Scotts Hill Medical Center was built to support a growing community.
The hospital includes 66 inpatient beds, with rooms equipped with digital tools that connect bedside care teams with specialists in another locations — giving patients access to additional expertise when needed.
The hospital also includes spaces for surgery and other procedures, including:
- Eight operating rooms
- Two rooms for digestive health procedures
- A heart procedure room
- Rooms for patients who need observation
- Care and recovery areas for patients before and after surgery
“Every detail of this facility was meticulously planned with our patients at the forefront,” said Grant Rush, president of Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center. “We ensured this hospital offers advanced technology and the latest diagnostic equipment to support specialized surgeries and procedures and inpatient treatment for a range of needs.”
Expanded emergency care in Scotts Hill
The new hospital connects directly to Novant Health Emergency Department - Scotts Hill, which remained open throughout construction and has now doubled in size.
That connection is important. If a patient comes to the emergency department and needs more care, the hospital is right there on the same campus. Care teams can move more quickly from emergency treatment to observation, testing, surgery or a hospital stay when needed.
The added space also supports care across the Coastal Region. More hospital rooms in Scotts Hill can help reduce pressure on Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington and help patients move to the right level of care more efficiently.
A growing medical campus for the Coastal North Carolina region
Scotts Hill Medical Center is part of a larger Novant Health campus built to bring many services together in one convenient location.
In addition to the emergency department and the new hospital, the campus includes a medical plaza that opened in December 2024, offering outpatient care, including primary care, specialty care and oncology.
Together, these locations make it easier for patients to access many types of care close to home. For people living in New Hanover and Pender counties, that can mean less time on the road and more time focused on healing, family and daily life.
A care team of more than 700 people
Behind the new hospital is a team of more than 700 people working together to care for patients and the community.
The team includes nurses, breathing care specialists, lab team members, imaging staff, pharmacy staff and many others. Their work supports safe, connected care across the emergency department, surgery, hospital rooms and support services.
Scotts Hill Medical Center was also designed with comfort in mind. Large windows bring natural light into patient rooms and hallways. Oceanic-inspired details, including wave-themed art, shell-like lighting and sand-colored flooring, reflect the nearby beaches and help create a calm, welcoming space.
Building a healthier future, closer to home
Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center represents a major step forward for health care access in New Hanover and Pender counties. With new hospital rooms, expanded emergency care, advanced surgery spaces and a growing medical campus, the hospital strengthens care for patients across the Coastal Region.
