PROJECT UNIFY

UNC Board of Governors approves moving forward with Project Unify

Today, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors approved a motion for President Margaret Spellings, East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil P. Staton and UNC Board of Governors member Scott Lampe, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, to move forward in all negotiations to integrate ECU Physicians and Vidant Medical Group, a subsidiary of Vidant Health, referred to as Project Unify. ECU Physicians is the clinical practice of the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.

The motion gives authority to Spellings, Staton and Lampe to negotiate subject to authorization and approval by the Committee on Budget and Finance with President Spellings informing the Board of the public terms of final agreement.

“Project Unify is in the best interests of Brody, ECU, Greenville, and eastern North Carolina. We would be strengthened by this strategic partnership,” Staton said. “Project Unify is an important part of our efforts to secure a strong foundation for Brody’s future.”

Dr. Michael R. Waldrum, chief executive officer of Vidant Health, said, “The approval and authorization to move forward symbolizes a pivotal moment in achieving our shared vision to be the national model for rural health and wellness by creating a premier, trusted academic health care delivery system for the benefit of the people of eastern North Carolina.” Waldrum is also distinguished professor of Internal Medicine & Pulmonary Critical Care at the Brody School of Medicine.