NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The Novant Health coastal region, which includes several facilities in the tri-county, has a new leader.
Ernie Bovio will take over as president at Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center after Shelbourn Stevens exited in June; WHQR reported at the time he was fired.
Jeff Lindsay was serving in the interim, but stepped down last week for the president and chief operating officer with UNC Health.
Bovio is leaving UNC Health Rex president to take over the position. He will oversee the local network, including 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.
He is entering the healthcare system among multiple layoffs in the last year. Novant had a system-wide reduction earlier in the year, laying off less than 50 people from its 35,000-plus employees, as confirmed to PCD in January. A spokesperson cited “lingering effects of the pandemic and its impact on the costs of providing care” as a reason.
NHRMC’s chief community impact officer, Dr. Phillip Brown — who served as chief executive physician and chief of staff before Novant bought the hospital — was let go at that time.
In October Novant reduced its system-wide workforce again by 160, but it’s unclear how many that affected locally.
Last week WECT, PCD’s media partner, reported that Novant would cut its IT department to outsource positions. The outlet said Novant employees said upward of 200 people would lose their jobs, though Novant didn’t confirm the number.
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