Blue Ridge Health is moving forward with plans to build a new three-story medical facility in Hendersonville, North Carolina, designed to expand patient care and house a growing family medicine residency program, according to local health officials. The project will occupy a two-acre site at 617 and 621 Whitted Street, situated near UNC Health Pardee and the Pardee Health Sciences Center.
Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program Expansion Details
The upcoming facility will serve as the new permanent home for the Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program. Program leaders note that the residency has experienced substantial growth since its inception three decades ago, expanding from an initial cohort of three resident physicians to 18 while remaining in its original footprint on the UNC Health Pardee campus.
“We’re housed on the campus of UNC Health Pardee, but we’ve been in the same space since we had those three residents, and now we have 18. So we definitely need more space,” Blue Ridge Health CEO Tammy Greenwell said. The new building aims to resolve spatial limitations by incorporating expanded exam rooms, dedicated teaching and conference spaces, and administrative offices. According to residency program director Daniel Yoder, speaking to the Times-News, the new site will not immediately increase the total number of trainees, but it will significantly boost local patient access and interdisciplinary care opportunities.
Facility Layout and Architectural Design
Blue Ridge Health acquired the two-acre parcel west of downtown in September 2024, county land records show. Architectural plans for the three-story structure detail a functional division of space to support both clinical operations and medical education. The ground level will host the primary family medicine residency clinic alongside a drive-through pharmacy. The second floor is slated to contain residency offices, conference rooms, and teaching facilities, while the third floor will remain unassigned to accommodate future clinical expansion.
According to release details, construction will feature exposed timber framing and native stone set against an extensively landscaped lot, paired with a three-level parking garage. The location places resident physicians in close proximity to Pardee Hospital, ensuring continued access for inpatient rotations and on-call duties while maintaining outpatient training workflows through Blue Ridge Health.
Did You Know?
Addressing Regional Physician Shortages in Western North Carolina
Health leaders emphasize that regional medical shortages make physician retention a critical priority for Western North Carolina communities. By expanding physical clinic capacity, organizations involved in the partnership hope to encourage newly trained doctors to build long-term medical careers locally. “We want to do everything we can to have residents stay here and become physicians for a long time in Western North Carolina,” Blue Ridge Health spokesperson Valerie Hoffman told the Times-News.
Dr. John Bryant, vice president of operations and support services for UNC Health Pardee, echoed those sentiments regarding workforce development. “What it really means is we’re going to have the opportunity to train more medical professionals for our community and for our region, and that’s something that we all can get excited about,” Bryant stated. CEO Tammy Greenwell noted that approximately 40% of past program graduates have established practices within the region, a percentage the health network aims to grow through enhanced facilities.
Timeline and Capital Campaign
Blue Ridge Health intends to launch a dedicated capital campaign in 2027 to help fund construction costs for the Whitted Street project. Organizers have scheduled the official start of construction for early 2028. Community members and stakeholders interested in supporting the initiative can access donation information directly through Blue Ridge Health’s outreach channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the new Blue Ridge Health facility be located?
The facility is planned for a two-acre site at 617 and 621 Whitted Street (also referenced as North Whitted Street and 6th Avenue West) in Hendersonville, near UNC Health Pardee.
Which organizations partner on the Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program?
The residency program is operated through a partnership between Blue Ridge Health, the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), and UNC Health Pardee.
When is construction expected to begin?
Blue Ridge Health plans to launch a capital campaign in 2027, with construction slated to begin in early 2028.
What amenities will be included in the three-story building?
Plans feature a family medicine residency clinic and a drive-through pharmacy on the first floor, administrative and teaching spaces on the second floor, a third-floor expansion zone, and a three-level parking garage.
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