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Lake Norman hospital renamed after $247 million purchase. Employee offers were extended

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has been renamed Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has been renamed Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. jmarusak@charlotteobserver.com

Duke Health assumed ownership of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and related businesses Tuesday after finalizing its $284 million purchase of the Mooresville hospital, officials said.

During an afternoon ceremony, the hospital was renamed Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.

Duke bought the 123-bed, acute-care hospital from subsidiaries of Tennessee-based Community Health Systems Inc.

The purchase greatly expands Duke Health clinical services beyond the Triangle area, according to a statement by the Durham-based not-for-profit health care system.

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has been renamed Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has been renamed Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. JOE MARUSAK jmarusak@charlotteobserver.com

Duke has extended employment offers to Lake Norman Regional employees and providers and is providing interim leadership during the search for a new hospital president.

In coming months, the hospital’s electronic medical records will be integrated into the Duke Health system, providing patients more access to Duke specialty care, officials said.

When the town learned about Duke Health’s interest in buying the private hospital, “it was a such a great day because it has been an emotional roller coaster, not just for staff but for the community,” Mayor Chris Carney said at the ceremony.

“For profit just doesn’t work when it comes to doing things like health care, and we all felt that,” Carney said. “It was so exciting. My heart leapt.”

Craig Albanese, chief executive officer of Duke University Health System, addresses the crowd at the unveiling of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center’s new name, Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.
Craig Albanese, chief executive officer of Duke University Health System, addresses the crowd at the unveiling of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center’s new name, Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM

This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Lake Norman hospital renamed after $247 million purchase. Employee offers were extended."

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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