Novant Health breaks ground on new rehabilitation hospital in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Novant Health broke ground Tuesday on the new Novant Health New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, an inpatient physical rehabilitation facility in Wilmington.

Community leaders, elected officials and healthcare partners from across southeastern North Carolina were present at the ceremony.

The hospital will feature 60 private patient rooms and will be built on the 15-acre Wrightsville Avenue campus, which also houses Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital. Once complete, it will be the first newly constructed inpatient rehabilitation hospital to serve the region since the original facility opened in 1994.

The current inpatient rehabilitation hospital, located on the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center campus, cares for roughly 850 patients each year. The new facility is expected to increase annual capacity to more than 1,500 admissions.

“This new rehabilitation hospital represents an important investment in the future of healthcare across southeastern North Carolina,” said Laurie Whalin, president of Novant Health’s Coastal Region. “As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, we rely on the expertise of our rehabilitation teams as a vital part of the recovery journey. As our communities continue to grow, so does the need for specialized rehabilitation services that help patients regain independence, recover close to home and return to the activities that matter most to them.”

The hospital offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes physical, occupational and speech therapists; rehabilitation nurses; respiratory and recreation therapists; pharmacists; case managers; social workers; and rehabilitation counselors.

Specialized programs support patients recovering from neurologic conditions — such as stroke, brain injury and other disorders — which account for more than 50% of the hospital’s patient population. Additional services include amputee and prosthetic training and cancer rehabilitation.

“Every patient who comes through our doors has a goal they want to get back to — whether that’s returning home, spending time with family or regaining independence after a life-changing illness or injury,” said Leslie Kesler, senior director of rehabilitation for Novant Health Coastal Region. “More than 80% of our patients are discharged back to their homes and communities following treatment, surpassing the national average and demonstrating the difference specialized rehabilitation care can make for patients and families across our region.”

According to a Novant spokesperson, the project cost $85 million. Construction is estimated to be complete in early 2028.