WILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 12, 2023 – Ernie Bovio has bold aspirations for the Wilmington area when he officially starts Jan. 22 as president of Novant Health’s Coastal region and Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Bovio’s track record of successes in prior health care leadership provides a high bar for the approach he will bring to southeastern North Carolina. During his 25-plus years as a health care executive, most recently at UNC Health, Bovio has opened new hospitals and a surgery center, improved regional access to specialty care, boosted the number of physicians and clinicians and earned quality recognitions and positive marks in patient satisfaction and team member engagement.
“We look forward to welcoming Ernie to this key leadership role in Wilmington, where he will have the pleasure of leading a talented team already working to create a healthier future for the community,” said Carl S. Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health. “I am confident his expertise will be invaluable as we continue to chart the future for this growing region.”
Bovio joins Novant Health from UNC Health, where he most recently led the academic system’s Triangle East Region, including UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and three other hospitals. He said he’s spent most of his career in fast-growing markets and is experienced balancing the need to grow services with other priorities, such as collaborating to advance health access in historically underserved areas and maintaining rural care.
“We’re going to aspire to perform at a level, from a quality, safety and patient experience perspective, that deserves recognition as being among the best hospitals in the state and country to receive health care,” Bovio said.
In his new role, Bovio will serve as leader for the Novant Health Coastal region, which includes Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, Novant Health Pender Medical Center, Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital and the future Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center.
“Ernie will play a vital role as we continue to advance access to health care services across the region,” said Mitch Lamm, chair of the Novant Health Coastal board of managers. “We’re excited to be making progress on the future Scotts Hill Medical Center campus, and Ernie will play a pivotal role in leading planning efforts for additional investments to grow health care services locally while prioritizing quality and supporting our team members.”
Bovio values understanding the experiences of clinicians and team members, and schedules routine visits to specific departments to experience a day-in-the-life firsthand. It’s part of his self-described down-to-earth, authentic and genuine approach to build trust and credibility.
He’s looking forward to rounding in Coastal region facilities starting next month.
“I’m really excited to meet the medical staff, team members and patients to learn from them and figure out how to best meet their needs,” he said. And just as Bovio values spending time walking the floors, he also wants to engage with community members.
He’s already been informally polling residents at stores and restaurants when he and his wife, Holly, are weekending here at their Carolina Beach condo.
Bovio was quick to point out that many individuals reinforce the positive, but responses cover the spectrum. “I want to learn about that, I want to know about that – even when the experience is less than stellar,” Bovio said, adding, “I want to hear about it and work to make it better.”
Prior to his most recent position leading the UNC Health Triangle East Region, Bovio served as chief operating officer for UNC Health Rex. Previously, he served as CEO for High Point Regional Health in North Carolina, and in the Austin, Texas, market for Baylor Scott & White Health, which included three hospitals. He also served in CEO and chief operating officer roles for hospitals in Texas affiliated with Tenet Healthcare Corp. and Paracelsus Healthcare Corp. Bovio has been involved in a number of community organizations and served on many boards over his tenure as a health care leader.
Bovio earned a Master of Healthcare Administration/Master of Business Administration from University of Houston - Clear Lake and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University.
Summing up his experience and thinking about his new position with Novant Health, Bovio said: “I feel like I’ve been preparing my entire career for this role.”
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