Atrium Health’s Charlotte medical school building gets a name — and $25 million donation
Atrium Health has a new name for the building hosting its future Charlotte medical school, along with a $25 million donation, Atrium announced Tuesday.
The Howard R. Levine Foundation donated $25 million to name the academic building. The Howard R. Levine Center for Education will host the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte, along with Wake Forest University School of Business, Wake Forest School for Professional Studies and Carolinas College of Health Sciences.
Atrium Health will break ground on the medical school next year. Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. without a 4-year medical school, according to the hospital system.
“I consider it a privilege to be a part of bringing Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Charlotte to our city and helping to advance higher education opportunities and world-class medical research,” Howard Levine said in a statement. “It allows our family and its foundation to have a positive impact that will shape the future of the city, and the health of its residents, for generations to come.”
Levine is the former chief executive officer of Matthews-based Family Dollar. He, along with his family, have been significant supporters of Atrium Health Levine Children’s and Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, among other charitable causes in the region.
The donation — the first major announced gift tied to the new school since Atrium Health unveiled its “Giving Hope Campaign” philanthropic program in May — will help create a cutting edge educational experience, Atrium Health CEO Gene Woods said in a statement.
The medical school was made possible through a partnership with Atrium Health — Charlotte’s largest hospital system — and Wake Forest Baptist Health and Wake Forest University.
The medical school is expected to host its first class of students in 2024. That class will be comprised of about 48 students, Wake Forest School of Medicine Dean Julie Ann Freischlag said last year.
Innovation district
Last week, Mecklenburg County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a $75 million public investment in Atrium’s “innovation district” surrounding the medical school in an agreement with Charlotte City Council.
The two local governments will team up with a combination of a $60 million tax increment grant and $15 million in bonds, which will be reimbursed.
In a presentation to county commissioners, Atrium reported that the innovation district could bring in more than $50 million in county taxes over the next 20 years.
Plans for the innovation district include a mix of research facilities, residential buildings and retail shops surrounding the med school. The district will be located near the intersection of McDowell and Baxter streets.
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 2:41 PM.
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