Construction and design
NC Children's recently completed user group meetings with more than 500 pediatric experts, clinical leaders, patient families, and community partners — the people who know children's care best. Their input will help shape every decision, from how a child first experiences the campus to how clinicians deliver care, train the next generation of pediatric providers, and make the discoveries that will reshape children's health for generations to come.
The design team is reviewing all of the feedback received, which will lead into the next phase of design this summer and fall.
Clinical planning
Since the planning process for NC Children’s began, a group of pediatric clinicians and leaders from UNC Health and Duke Health was formed to shape every aspect of how NC Children's will deliver care. The group meets monthly and will focus on the following areas: facility planning, clinical services development, and opportunities to expand high-quality pediatric services.
We will share more information as the clinical planning committee (CPC) continues its work, including how clinicians and teammates can share feedback and ideas.
Notable activities
June 2026:
In recognition of their work with NC Children's, the Apex Economic Development team was honored with the
large market "Deal of the Year" award
at the
North Carolina Economic Development Association's Annual Conference
.
May 2026:
User groups completed for the NC Children’s campus, with participation from pediatric patient families and more than 500?pediatric and support services leaders across Duke and UNC.
April 2026:
Foreshadowing the collaborative research possible at NC Children's, we announced that
Duke & UNC researchers would co-lead a $12.9M study to improve care for autistic children.
NC Children's, Duke Children's and UNC Children's shared space at the
Pediatric Academic Society's annual meeting
in Boston to bring attention to the partnership among pediatric residents, fellows and children’s hospital colleagues around the world.
January 2026:
Announced
transformational $25 million gift
from North Carolina-based
Coca-Cola Consolidated
, the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler.
December 2025:
First formal NC Children’s executive team introduced:
ncchildrens.org/leadership
.
November 2025:
NC Children’s project featured in keynote panel during
Children’s Hospital Association’s Annual Leadership Conference
in San Diego.
September 2025:
NC Children’s social media channels launched. Follow us @ncchildrens on
LinkedIn
,
Facebook
,
Instagram
, and
X
.
August 2025:
Inaugural meeting of the NC Children’s Board of Directors:
ncchildrens.org/board
.
July 2025:
Apex announced as the future home for NC Children’s.
May 2025:
NC Children’s Clinical Planning Committee established with members from UNC Children’s, Duke Children’s to lead clinical planning efforts.
January 2025:
In a formal announcement at Marbles Children’s Museum,
NC Children’s was officially created as a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health.
