Novant Health plans to open Cancer Center and future hospital on Long Shoals Road
ARDEN, N.C. (WLOS) — Novant Health administrators have confirmed their plan to open a hospital in Arden on Long Shoals Road focused on cancer treatment to offer patients a choice beyond Mission and AdventHealth.
Dr. CJ Atkinson, Novant’s physician market leader, said the group with 19 hospitals across North and South Carolina is determined to expand into Asheville even if AdventHealth or Mission lands this year’s state license allowing 26 hospital beds.
“Two years ago, we applied for a Certificate Of Need application to build a hospital,” said Atkinson. “At that point, it was not awarded to us. After that happened, we regrouped and we went into the community and we started to listen.” Atkinson said the advance work has been done and Novant is determined to expand. “It’s very well documented we attempted to buy Mission when it was for sale, and it was awarded to HCA. We want to focus on cancer and hospital-based cancer services.”
THREE HOSPITALS COMPETE FOR STATE LICENSE TO ADD 26 BEDS, EXPAND LOCAL HEALTHCARE
Novant has proposed building a $249 million medical complex on Long Shoals Road, specifically around the potential 26-bed hospital license applied for this year.
“In 2025, there are more beds that will be available,” said Atkinson.
That license, Atkinson said, would be for 129 beds. Securing that would give Novant the green light to build what Atkinson describes as a regional hospital, similar to what AdventHealth operates in Hendersonville. In the meantime, Novant is moving forward with its medical office center building on Long Shoals Road, which doesn’t require a license. The goal is to get the building open within three years.
NOVANT HEALTH ANNOUNCES PLANS TO APPLY FOR 26-BED HOSPITAL IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY
Novant will contract with Messino Cancer Centeroncologists already operating in Asheville for its future cancer-focused business model to offer area patients. Novant also released a rendering of another medical office that will open on Hendersonville Road in 2025 that includes a renovation of the former Gold’s Gym building.
ASK 13: WHAT WILL CLOSED GOLD’S GYM BUILDING ON HENDERSONVILLE ROAD BECOME?
They are looking to and eyeing expansion opportunities,” said Madeline Ashley, a reporter for Becker’s Hospital Review, a well-regarded national publication focused on the hospital industry. “It’s definitely something to follow.
Novant, as well as AdventHealth administrators, told News 13 area residents want options.
Mission-HCA and AdventHealth have also applied for the 26-bed license this year. Advent already has state approval for a 60-plus-bed hospital in Weaverville and hopes to land the additional 26-bed license this year to add to their hospital capacity in Weaverville.
State officials will hold a public hearing and listening session for each of the three hospital pitches August 19 at 11 a.m. in Ferguson Auditorium at AB Tech.
link
