A location for the hospital will be selected in the Triangle area by mid-2025, marking a significant step in the project.

The state has committed an initial $320 million to kickstart the project, with additional funding anticipated as construction progresses.

The establishment of this children's hospital will allow families to access specialized pediatric care locally, reducing the need for travel out of state.

Dr. Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health, emphasized the need for specialized pediatric care to prevent transfers and out-of-state treatments for sick children.

UNC Health and Duke Health are collaborating to establish North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital, a significant project for the region.

The hospital will include 70 inpatient behavioral health beds and 70 emergency department bays to address significant gaps in pediatric mental health services in North Carolina.

The estimated cost of the hospital ranges from $2 billion to $3 billion, funded through a mix of state investment and private donations.

The project is expected to create over 8,400 jobs and generate approximately $26.8 billion in gross domestic product for North Carolina over 20 years.

Dr. Craig Albanese, CEO of the Duke University Health System, described the facility as a symbol of hope, health, and healing tailored to children and their families.

The new facility, named North Carolina Children’s, will feature 500 beds, an outpatient care center, and a dedicated behavioral health facility, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and completion projected in the early 2030s.

Currently, North Carolina is the most populous state in the U.S. without a standalone children's hospital, forcing families to seek specialized care out of state.

Wesley Burks from Duke Health highlighted the partnership as unprecedented and aimed at improving healthcare access for children in the state.