Region: Coastal Plains of Southeastern North Carolina
Communities:  Atkinson, Burgaw, Hampstead, Maple Hill, Penderlea, Rocky Point, Surf City, Topsail Beach, Wallace (Duplin County) and Willard
County: Pender
Population:  Burgaw – 10,170; Pender County – 42,051
Nearest Metropolis: Wilmington, 30 minutes
Business: Tourism, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, poultry, pork, seafood
Recreation:  Water sports, fishing, golf, hunting, camping

Practice Comments

Pender County is a medically underserved community as indicated by its federal designation as a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area. Pender Memorial Hospital, located in Burgaw, North Carolina, is seeking primary care physicians in Internal Medicine and Family Practice who wish to make a positive difference in the lives of the residents of Pender County and surrounding communities. Burgaw and Pender County provide a rich practice environment where a physician can get to know his or her patients and have the professional satisfaction of utilizing his or her full range of skills. Candidates with an interest in being active members of the Medical Staff are strongly preferred. Qualified candidates may be eligible for financial support in the form of a two-year income guarantee. Additional opportunities include partnership within established private practices, as well as employment through the Black River Family Practice.

Community Comments

Burgaw is a charming, historic town located within minutes of the beaches and coastal communities of Pender and New Hanover counties in southeastern North Carolina. The Town of Burgaw lies in the central portion of Pender County and serves as the county seat. It is conveniently located off Interstate 40, affording easy access to Wilmington (30 minutes east) the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area (2 hours west), and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (1.5 hours southeast). The Wilmington International Airport is also within close proximity. The town hosts an annual Blueberry Festival, which boasts an attendance of over 10,000 people.

Pender County is the fifth largest county in North Carolina (geographically) and the sixth fastest growing county in the state. Graced with an abundance of natural resources, Pender offers access to the Cape Fear and Black rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you enjoy exploring the wonders of nature, shopping for antiques, dining on fresh seafood, camping, boating, fishing or bird watching, you’re sure to enjoy living in Pender County, North Carolina.

Education

Families relocating to Pender County have access to a highly rated public school system as well as several exceptional public and private universities throughout the state. There are eight elementary schools, four middle schools and four high schools located in Pender County. In Fall 2006, a highly innovative program called Pender Early College High School opened to select students, allowing them to earn a high school diploma and two years of college credit towards a four-year degree or an associate’s degree in only five years.

The North Carolina School Report Card for the 2004-2005 school year shows that the school system continues to make great progress in education. Students are performing above the southeast region and national averages on standardized exams in reading and math, and they continue to increase scores on the SAT.

North Carolina also offers outstanding opportunities for students to continue their educations at such widely recognized schools as Duke University, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, UNC – Wilmington, North Carolina State University and East Carolina University. There are also two campuses of Cape Fear Community College in Hampstead and Burgaw.

Pender Memorial Hospital Overview and Service Offerings

Pender Memorial Hospital (PMH) is an 86-bed (licensed) community hospital that has served Pender County and the surrounding area since 1951. PMH is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). As an affiliate of New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, PMH has access to tertiary level services through VitaLink, the network’s mobile intensive care service, as well as AirLink, the air medical transport service.

The following service offerings are provided at Pender Memorial Hospital: 25-bed staffed medical/ surgical unit, 43-bed skilled nursing facility, home health agency serving eight county region, 24-hour emergency department, inpatient and outpatient surgery, imaging services (X-Ray, CT, Ultrasound, Mammography and mobile MRI), laboratory services, pharmacy, respiratory therapy and rehabilitation services (physical, speech and occupational therapy). PMH also offers an outpatient center for physicians providing specialist services such as orthopedics and podiatry.

In 2002, PMH underwent a $1.3 million expansion of its Emergency Department, which significantly improved patient flow and capacity. The ED is fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the same group of emergency physicians that serves the other hospitals of New Hanover Regional Medical Center. These physicians and other ED staff provide evaluation and treatment to patients of all ages who present with minor to life-threatening illnesses.

PMH completed the construction of a $3.1 million expansion of its surgery center in Summer 2008. A brand-new surgery center with two greatly expanded operating rooms and improved patient flow through opened at PMH in June 2008. Board-certified general surgeons provide inpatient and outpatient surgeries as well as endoscopy procedures at Pender Memorial Hospital.

Pender Health & Diagnostics, a comprehensive diagnostic center operated by PMH, opened in the Rocky Point community in December 2007. Services offered include Diagnostic X-ray, CT, Mammography, Ultrasound, Mobile MRI, Laboratory Testing, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy.