Months after moving into a facility over twice the size of its flagship campus, MedNorth's CEO, Althea Johnson, is optimistic about the nonprofit's continued momentum. 

MedNorth Health Center is a state and federally funded community health center that has operated in downtown Wilmington for over 30 years, serving medically underserved populations. 

The clinic – which offers a range of services, including adult and family medicine, pediatrics, OBGYN, podiatry, and behavioral health and has an on-site pharmacy – shifted operations from its 16,000-square-foot building at 925 North Front St. to a two-story, 35,000-square-foot building next door in March. 

"Right now, all of our energy is making sure that this is up and running, and that patients know that we're here, and there's no barriers for them continuing to share and expand," Johnson said. 

MedNorth was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1992, as the New Hanover Community Health Center. It has been in continuous service since accepting its first patient in 1994.

Johnson expects to see an increase in patient volume as the campus adds providers, something it wasn't able to do in its previous space. The new space offers a much better layout for staff, she said, as operations had outgrown the previous campus, which had been renovated multiple times to maximize its use. 

The new campus allowed MedNorth to expand from 5 to 12 dental operatory rooms and add two more dentists and hygienists. Additionally, the space added exam rooms, teaching spaces, and flexible clinical spaces, and MedNorth's existing pharmacy was able to expand upon relocation. 

The new campus also has the potential for vision services, and MedNorth is actively seeking optometrists, Johnson said. 

"Being a one-stop shop is really a good thing for our patients," she said. "They come in primary care, they need eye care, so rather than refer them outside of us, we can now refer them in-house."

Renovations to the previous campus will begin in July and are expected to end July 2027, with plans to add X-ray, mammography, physical, speech and occupational therapy, as well as an auditorium and a teaching kitchen.

MedNorth was one of several healthcare providers that expressed support for UNCW's proposed standalone medical school. According to Johnson, the campus has a longstanding history of accepting rotations and doctors-in-residence and welcomes the opportunity to host a local medical school. 

"We believe in growing your own," she said. "The new campus was built with that in mind." 

"As a matter of fact," she added, "one of our biggest success stories is that we have a nurse practitioner who's been with us about 16 years, came on as a rotation… and they've been with us ever since."

While adjusting to an expanded space, MedNorth is bracing to navigate a shifting Medicaid landscape, as stricter eligibility requirements and potential work requirements take shape under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in the summer of 2025.

Approximately 38% of MedNorth's patients are Medicaid recipients, 33% are uninsured and 17% are third-party insured. According to its website, the clinic's target population is those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and though it is not a free clinic, "patients receive services regardless of the individuals or families' ability to pay." 

According to Johnson, the Medicaid population has increased in the past year. 

She said, "We're going to try to assist our patients as best as we can."