Leaders from Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and Wake Forest University today announced they’ve chosen a 20-acre site in midtown Charlotte for the expansion of Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Wake Forest School of Medicine – Charlotte campus rendering.

The school of medicine campus will be located less than three-quarters of a mile from Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.

“A second campus for Wake Forest School of Medicine in Charlotte is truly a significant milestone for both health and education in the Southeast,” said Nathan O. Hatch, Ph.D., president of Wake Forest University. “It will also be a driving force for innovation in the corridor between Winston-Salem and Charlotte. This will further strengthen the academic bonds Wake Forest has with Charlotte and help advance learning, economic growth and opportunity.”

In addition to the location of the medical school, Eugene A. Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health, announced that Atrium Health has established the Bishop George E. Battle Jr. Scholarship Fund to support the continuing education of those who live in underserved communities.

Wake Forest School of Medicine – Charlotte is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2022, soon after the completion of the zoning approval process.

Wake Forest School of Medicine began sending its first students to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center earlier this month, as part of its rotations. The initial class of Wake Forest School of Medicine – Charlotte first-year M.D. students is anticipated to begin their education in 2024.