Leland’s rapid growth as a bedroom community to Wilmington is beginning to reshape what “small-town living” means for thousands of families who now call the area home. One of the biggest challenges for residents has been access to healthcare. For years, anyone needing emergency care or hospital services had to drive over the bridge into Wilmington or head south to Shallotte. That may soon change.
Novant Health has announced plans to bring a new full-service hospital to Leland. The proposed Novant Health Leland Medical Center would include 20 patient beds, a 24-hour emergency department, imaging services, observation beds, and procedure rooms — a much-needed addition for a town that has quickly become one of the fastest-growing communities in the region. The project still requires state approval through North Carolina’s certificate of need process, but if approved, it will mark a major step forward in meeting the medical needs of local residents.
The plans don’t stop there. Novant Health also intends to open a freestanding emergency department near U.S. 17 in Carolina Shores and expand its existing Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia. Upgrades there include new MRI facilities and a cardiac catheterization lab — meaning heart procedures that once required a trip to Wilmington could soon be done within the county.
For Leland homeowners, this news signals more than just convenience — it’s a sign of how the community is evolving. As more people choose to live in Leland and commute to Wilmington for work, the town is beginning to offer the kind of infrastructure and amenities that once could only be found across the bridge. The addition of a hospital will likely add to the area’s appeal for both current residents and new homebuyers looking for suburban comfort with city access.