UNC Health Southeastern to Welcome Military Clinicians for Rural Care Partnership
UNC Health Southeastern will participate in a national-service partnership that will bring highly trained military healthcare professionals to care for patients across Robeson County and the surrounding region, strengthening both military readiness and rural healthcare.
“UNC Health Southeastern is honored and thrilled to be chosen for this important national effort that supports our military and supports care for the communities we serve,” said UNC Health Southeastern President and CEO Chris Ellington. “This partnership brings highly skilled military clinicians to our region, expands access to high-quality care in our rural communities, and reflects our deep commitment to serving both our neighbors and our nation’s service members. We see this as a powerful way to give back to those who serve, while improving the health and well-being of the people of Robeson County and beyond.”
On July 1, 2026, UNC Health Southeastern welcomed military service members into a variety of clinical and support roles throughout the organization in a 12-month program designed to strengthen healthcare access and quality in rural communities while providing military clinicians with valuable experience in a civilian health system. The initiative is intended to support the military by offering diverse, real-world practice environments and to support the community by increasing capacity and enhancing the level of care available locally.
Through this collaboration, UNC Health Southeastern will host military professionals in key roles including certified surgical technologists, critical care nurses, emergency department nurses, paramedics, and potentially third-year general surgery residents and trauma fellows. These clinicians are highly competent, rigorously trained professionals who have cared for patients in complex, high-pressure environments around the world. They bring advanced clinical skills, disciplined teamwork, leadership, and a mission-driven commitment to service that align with UNC Health Southeastern’s dedication to providing exceptional care close to home.
By integrating military clinicians into its teams, UNC Health Southeastern will help the military by broadening clinicians’ experience in a busy civilian health system, enhancing their readiness to respond wherever they are needed. The partnership is expected to build lasting connections between military and civilian healthcare that will benefit patients, families, and future clinicians for years to come.
“This is truly a win-win opportunity for our health system, our communities, and the military professionals joining us,” said UNC Health Southeastern Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Renae Taylor. “These service members are exceptionally well trained and experienced, and they bring a level of expertise, discipline, and resilience that will enrich our clinical teams and benefit every patient we serve. We are excited about the lasting impact it will have on healthcare in our rural communities and on the careers of these outstanding military clinicians.”
Through this collaboration, UNC Health Southeastern is helping the military, helping the community, and demonstrating the vital role rural health systems can play in national service.
