Charlotte’s population boom strains healthcare, spurring workforce growth
Writer: Eleana Teran
March 2025 — Charlotte’s surging population is driving demand for healthcare services. In response, providers, universities, and key healthcare stakeholders are forging partnerships to expand access and build a sustainable talent pipeline.
“Charlotte’s healthcare and education sectors are becoming increasingly intertwined, with strategic partnerships playing a critical role in addressing workforce shortages and expanding access to care,” said Caroline Warren, head of the Charlotte Office at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, during a panel discussion at the Invest: Charlotte leadership summit.
The undersupply of healthcare professionals remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas. While 94% of the projected demand for physician services is expected to be met in metro areas by 2036, only 44% of the estimated demand will be met in non-metro areas. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), this disparity sheds light on the urgent need for innovative workforce strategies to expand access beyond urban centers.
New data from the NC Health Talent Alliance further illustrates the severity of workforce shortages across North Carolina. Statewide, approximately one in four licensed practical nurse (LPN) positions, one in six registered nurse (RN) and certified nursing assistant (CNA) positions, and one in seven medical assistant (MA) positions remain open. Additionally, high turnover rates — 50% for RNs, LPNs, and MAs, and 80% for CNAs in 2023 — continue to strain the system, signaling an urgent need for targeted workforce development efforts.
“In the next 10 years, we’ll see a shortage of about 40,000 primary care providers. If we’re not laser-focused on collaboration between educators and healthcare systems, we won’t be in a good place,” noted Mark Collins, chief strategy officer at OneHealth and Invest: Charlotte summit speaker. To address this gap, North Carolina employers and educators have been working closely with academic institutions to create mentorship programs and hands-on training opportunities.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) have become increasingly vital in filling workforce gaps. According to ASPE, by 2036, the supply of NPs is projected to exceed demand by 92%, signaling a potential shift toward greater reliance on these roles.
“Reducing financial barriers through loan forgiveness and scholarships is essential to replenishing and growing the workforce, especially in fields like dental hygiene, where we saw a 9% decline in professionals during the pandemic,” added Dr. Jeffery Johnston, chief science officer at Delta Dental of North Carolina, who joined the panel discussion. This trend highlights the growing importance of NPs and PAs in bridging workforce gaps and expanding healthcare access.
Technology also plays a pivotal role in addressing workforce and care shortages. A recent report by SOTI found that 85% of healthcare professionals worldwide believe that investing in better technology is essential for improving patient outcomes. Lisa Moran, dean of health sciences at Central Piedmont Community College, detailed how the institution is leveraging high-tech simulation centers to train healthcare students.
“Our virtual simulation center allows students to practice real-world scenarios in a controlled environment. The mannequins breathe, bleed, and respond like human patients, giving students the ability to refine their skills before they interact with actual patients,” Moran said.
On the clinical side, Johnston emphasized telehealth’s expanding role in increasing care access. “During the pandemic, we rapidly implemented teledentistry solutions, which allowed dentists to triage patients and provide care remotely. Now, the use of AI is further helping to identify provider shortages and optimize resource allocation,” he explained.
In the U.S., 88% of healthcare workers say that the technology provided by their organizations helps them perform their jobs more efficiently. Additionally, AI is increasingly seen as a tool for simplifying tasks (85%), reducing costs (83%), and minimizing human error (83%), according to SOTI.
Beyond addressing immediate workforce challenges, panelists underscored the importance of long-term strategies to sustain a strong talent pipeline. David Hudson, chief nursing officer at Johnson & Wales University, highlighted the evolving nature of healthcare education and the growing need for hands-on experience. “Students today are looking for the best education in the most cost-effective and time-efficient way possible, but they also need practical exposure to real-world healthcare settings,” he said.
“One of the biggest concerns for students entering healthcare education is the cost. To remove barriers, Johnson & Wales created an all-inclusive tuition model,” Hudson said. “Everything from textbooks to uniforms is included, allowing students to focus on learning rather than unexpected expenses.”
While affordability and access to education are key to strengthening the healthcare workforce, ensuring meaningful provider-patient relationships is just as critical. Collins stressed that, at its core, healthcare is about relationships. “If we neglect the provider-patient relationship and simply layer new technologies onto a broken system, we’re not solving the problem,” he said. “We need a system where access is universal, and technology enhances — rather than replaces — the human connection in care.”
Top image provided by CPCC
For more information, visit:
https://www.bipc.com/
https://onehealthmpc.com/
https://www.jwu.edu/
https://deltadentalnc.com/
https://www.cpcc.edu/
