Summary:
North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital, a collaboration between UNC Health and Duke Health, is set to be built in Apex, a rapidly growing Raleigh suburb. The 500-bed pediatric hospital and associated facilities will create an estimated 8,000 jobs and include a children’s outpatient care center, behavioral health beds, and a research and education hub. The project, part of the mixed-use Veridea development, aims to enhance pediatric care and solidify the Research Triangle as a healthcare and innovation destination. Groundbreaking is slated for 2027, with construction expected to take six years and costs estimated between $2 billion and $3 billion.
What This Means for You:
- Economic Growth: The hospital will generate thousands of jobs, boosting the local economy and offering career opportunities in healthcare and related fields.
- Enhanced Pediatric Care: Families in North Carolina and the Southeast will have access to world-class pediatric services closer to home.
- Community Development: The Veridea project will bring new homes, retail, dining, and educational facilities, transforming Apex into a thriving hub.
- Future Outlook: The project underscores the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure to support population growth and innovation.
North Carolina’s First Standalone Children’s Hospital Set to Bring 8,000 Jobs to a Raleigh Suburb:
APEX, N.C. — North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital will be built in a bedroom community near the state capital, the project’s health systems announced Thursday, creating a campus estimated to bring 8,000 jobs to the area.
UNC Health and Duke Health announced in January an agreement to jointly build the proposed 500-bed pediatric hospital and linked facilities in the state’s Research Triangle region, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. At that time, the specific location wasn’t finalized. But leaders of the health systems said Thursday that the “North Carolina Children’s” project will be constructed about 20 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh in the Wake County town of Apex. Apex has a population of 77,000, which is already surging in population thanks to the region’s strong technology economy.
More than 15 potential sites in several counties were considered, Duke Health CEO Dr. Craig Albanese said at an Apex news conference. The 230-acre campus, located near a regional transportation interchange, will also include a children’s outpatient care center, over 100 behavioral health beds, and a research and education center operated by Duke University and University of North Carolina medical schools.
The campus is poised to be integrated into a long-discussed mixed-use development location called Veridea that will include thousands of new homes, retail, dining, office and research space, as well as a new Wake Technical Community College campus. “This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner,” UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks said in a news release.
A groundbreaking for the hospital campus is now expected in 2027, with construction anticipated to take six years. North Carolina Children’s Health also issued on Thursday a request for information from potential design and construction contractors for the project. The Apex location “will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teachers, and clinicians — convenient to both medical school campuses,” said Dr. Mary Klotman, dean of the Duke University medical school and a Duke Health executive.
The health systems have said the hospital campus project could cost from $2 billion to $3 billion, with a massive private fundraising effort ahead. The project has already received $320 million from state legislators. The next state budget, still being negotiated by House and Senate Republicans that ultimately would head to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s desk, also could contain more project funds.
Extra Information:
Original Announcement from UNC Health and Duke Health | North Carolina Children’s Health Project Details
People Also Ask About:
- When will the hospital open? Construction is expected to be completed by 2033.
- What services will the hospital offer? It will include pediatric inpatient care, outpatient services, behavioral health, and research facilities.
- How will the project be funded? Funding will come from state allocations, private donations, and potential federal support.
- What is the Veridea development? Veridea is a mixed-use project combining residential, commercial, and educational facilities in Apex.
- Why was Apex chosen? Its strategic location, growing population, and proximity to the Research Triangle made it ideal.
Expert Opinion:
Dr. Mary Klotman, Dean of Duke University School of Medicine, emphasizes that this project will position the Research Triangle as a global leader in pediatric healthcare innovation. The collaboration between UNC Health and Duke Health ensures that the region remains a magnet for top-tier medical talent and cutting-edge research.
Key Terms:
- North Carolina standalone children’s hospital
- Apex pediatric healthcare center
- UNC Duke Health collaboration
- Veridea mixed-use development
- Research Triangle healthcare innovation
- Pediatric hospital economic impact
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