Dr. Cristy Page has been appointed as the chief executive officer of UNC Health and will also serve as dean of the UNC School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her appointment was confirmed by the UNC Board of Governors after actions by both the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees and the UNC Health Board of Directors. She will assume her new roles on November 24.
UNC Health, which operates 20 hospitals and employs about 56,000 people, is a major academic health system in North Carolina. Dr. Page has held these positions on an interim basis since July.
With expertise in primary care and rural health, Dr. Page has led initiatives to expand healthcare access across North Carolina, including developing branch campuses and rural residency programs to address provider shortages in underserved areas. Since joining the faculty in 2005, she has served in several leadership capacities such as president of UNC Health Enterprises from 2024 to 2025, chief academic officer at both the medical school and UNC Health from 2023 to 2025, executive dean at the medical school from 2019 until earlier this year, chair of the Department of Family Medicine, and director of its residency program.
She also founded Mission3, an educational nonprofit organization, and created the FIRST Scholars Program at UNC School of Medicine aimed at preparing students for service-oriented careers.
Dr. Page is originally from Wilmington and holds degrees in psychology (as a Morehead Scholar), public health, and medicine from UNC-Chapel Hill. Her work has focused on rural health issues through research publications, grants, and awards.
UNC System President Peter Hans said: “In every role she has held — physician, educator, innovator, and mentor — Dr. Page has led with reassuring confidence and a clear sense of purpose. She is the kind of leader who builds trust by earning it, and who reminds us that the heart of health care is public service to others. We could not ask for a better steward of UNC Health’s mission.”
Dr. Page commented: “It is a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as CEO of UNC Health and Dean of UNC School of Medicine. I appreciate President Hans and the Board of Governors, Chancellor Roberts and Chair Wessling for their confidence and support as I step into this important role during one of the most challenging periods in healthcare and academic medicine. I’m delighted to serve and lead our great team to fulfill our purpose and mission to the people of North Carolina.”
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts stated: “Dr. Page is an inspirational leader and a remarkable healthcare provider whose dedication to serving North Carolina’s communities reflects our university’s commitment to statewide impact in all 100 counties. She is exceptionally qualified to guide UNC Health’s continued growth and advance its mission of saving lives across our state.”
Greg Wessling, chair of the UNC Health Board said: “I have worked with Dr. Page as a member of the UNC Health Board of Directors since 2019. She is a dynamic and strategic leader who excels in building relationships and has a heart for providing outstanding quality care across our state. I could not think of a finer person to lead UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine.”
Wendy Murphy, chairperson for the Board of Governors added: “North Carolinians are fortunate to have Dr. Page overseeing UNC Health. She has a passion for serving our citizens and the expertise to lead us into a healthier future.”
