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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE: Updates, resources, and context

Novant hires UNC Health executive to run NHMRC, coastal region

Ernie Bovio will begin work leading New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant's coastal region in January 2024.
Novant
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WHQR
Ernie Bovio will begin work leading New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant's coastal region in January 2024.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant’s coastal region lost a president and an interim leader — one reportedly fired, one left for another position — over the last year. The nonprofit healthcare company announced today it had hired longtime healthcare executive Ernie Bovio to fill the position.

Longtime healthcare executive Ernie Bovio will start work on January 22, according to Novant.

Bovio has worked for UNC Health for nearly twenty years, most recently leading UNC Health’s Triangle East Region, including the UNC Health Rex hospital in Raleigh in three others.

Related: NHRMC again without president after interim leader leaves for UNC Health job

According to Novant, “Bovio has opened new hospitals and a surgery center, improved regional access to specialty care, boosted the number of physicians and clinicians and earned quality recognitions and positive marks in patient satisfaction and team member engagement.”

Bovio said he’s experienced at “balancing the need to grow services with other priorities, such as collaborating to advance health access in historically underserved areas and maintaining rural care,” according to Novant.

In his new role, Bovio will serve as leader for the Novant Health Coastal region, which includes Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, Novant Health Pender Medical Center, Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital and the future Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center.

Note: This article has been updated to clarify that NHRMC lost a president and an interim leader, not two permanent presidents.