Duke Health and CaroMont Health Partner to Develop Two New Hospitals in Mecklenburg County

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Health and CaroMont Health today announced they are forming a new partnership to expand healthcare access and capacity in Mecklenburg County, beginning with plans for two new hospitals. With the region’s continued growth, the organizations are planning now to help ensure healthcare infrastructure and services can keep pace with the needs of patients and families.

As an important first step, Duke Health and CaroMont Health have submitted two Certificate of Need applications seeking state approval for the hospitals in Mecklenburg County. The applications include a 120-bed hospital in the University City area and an 80-bed hospital in the River District. The proposed hospitals would help address a portion of the 389 additional beds identified as needed for Mecklenburg County in the 2026 North Carolina State Medical Facilities Plan.

Today, much of Mecklenburg County’s advanced hospital care is concentrated in and around Uptown Charlotte. The proposed hospitals in the northern and western parts of the county would give patients and families more options for accessing specialty and advanced care closer to home.

“Every community we serve deserves access to exceptional care where people live and work,” said Chris Peek, president and chief executive officer at CaroMont Health. “That belief has guided our growth in Gaston, Cleveland and York counties, and it guides this partnership. Together with Duke Health, we have an opportunity to bring more choices and more advanced care to one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. At its heart, this partnership is about people. It’s about the patients and families who trust us today and the generations who will count on us tomorrow.”

Each organization brings distinct clinical capabilities and experience to the partnership:

• Duke Health: As a leading academic health system, Duke Health brings advanced specialty and subspecialty care, clinical research and trials, innovation and medical education. Through the partnership, Duke Health will help expand clinical capabilities and access to advanced care in the Charlotte region while working alongside a health system with deep local knowledge and relationships.
• CaroMont Health: For nearly 80 years, CaroMont Health has cared for patients and families across Gaston County and surrounding communities. Today it operates an established regional health system with advanced specialty care, a large network of physicians and practices, and a proven record of excellence in quality and safety.

“The rapidly growing Charlotte region needs more access to care and more options for the highest quality care locally,” said David W. Zaas, M.D., chief executive officer of Duke University Health System. “Duke Health is bringing its specialty expertise, research and education to Charlotte so more people can access leading academic care closer to home. As two North Carolina health systems with deep roots in this state and a shared commitment to quality, we are the right partners to expand these options for patients.”

If approved, the hospitals would be owned and operated by a new company equally owned and jointly led by Duke Health and CaroMont Health. Both organizations will remain independent, with their existing facilities, services and care relationships continuing separately.

The Certificate of Need applications are now moving through North Carolina’s review process. CaroMont Health and Duke Health anticipate a decision by the end of March 2027. Specific services and capabilities planned for each proposed campus are still being developed. If the CON applications are approved and development proceeds as planned, the organizations currently anticipate the hospitals could open in 2031.

Learn how we’re advancing care together: AdvancingHealthCLT.org