Surry commissioners approve sale of Mount Airy hospital to Novant Health

Novant Health Inc.'s offer to purchase Northern Hospital of Surry County was unanimously approved on Monday by the Surry County Board of Commissioners.

The five-member board serves as the hospital's governing body.

Novant officials project closing the transaction by Sept. 30. The deal requires regulatory approval, including from the N.C. Attorney General's Office.

Novant plans to operate the Mount Airy hospital as Novant Health Northern Regional Medical Center.

Northern currently is one of the two independently operated hospitals in the 14-county Triad and northwest North Carolina, along with Randolph Hospital in Asheboro.

The region's other 16 not-for-profit hospitals are either owned and operated by or affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health, Novant and UNC Health.

Several commissioners called the Northern sale to Novant a significant accomplishment for preserving local public health services and stabilizing the hospital's financial status.

That preservation was particularly personal for four commissioners since they were born in the hospital.

"This is a momentous day for Surry County, forming a long-term partnership with Novant," Commissioner Van Tucker said. "This will provide quality healthcare needs for many generations to come."

Commissioner Mark Marion called the transaction the "biggest thing we've ever tackled since I've been here, and I believe it's the biggest thing we'll tackle for years to come."

Reaching an agreement was also personal for Alisha Hutchens, a Surry resident who became Novant's Triad region president on June 1. Hutchens continues to serve as president of Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital.

"This is where I grew up. It's where I've raised my family, and a place that I'm grateful to call home," Hutchens told the commissioners.

"Our teams have worked closely alongside one another to care for our shared patients, allowing countless patients in Mount Airy and across northwest North Carolina to receive care closer to home."

Northern is licensed for 133 beds. It currently utilizes a national healthcare consulting company to assist with management and supplies.

Novant submitted its acquisition proposal to the commissioners in 2025.

The commissioners voted to approve Novant's offer in October, which began a due diligence period that ended recently.

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 9:39 AM.