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What’s next for the Atrium-WakeMed deal?
By Anne Blythe and Michelle Crouch Key Takeaways: The proposed combination of Atrium Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals cleared a major hurdle Monday when Wake County commissioners gave it the go-ahead, but it’s not yet a done deal. The partnership still faces review by federal regulators and the state attorney general’s office. In addition,…
After months of contention and behind-the-scenes lobbying, new Atrium-WakeMed deal has more benefits for Wake County
By Michelle Crouch and Anne Blythe Key Takeaways: The first weekend in May, just before Wake County commissioners were initially planning to vote on a proposed combination of Atrium Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson was worried. “This feels way too rushed to me,” she wrote in a May 2…
Atrium Health boosted executive compensation by 21 percent in 2025
By Michelle Crouch Co-published with The Charlotte Ledger Key Takeaways: The compensation of Charlotte-based Atrium Health’s top executives rose by an average of 21 percent in 2025, according to newly released records, as the hospital giant seeks to combine with Raleigh-based WakeMed Health & Hospitals. The executive compensation report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, which…
10 key questions about the proposed WakeMed-Atrium deal
By Michelle Crouch Key Takeaways: For almost four months, supporters and critics of Atrium Health’s proposed combination with Raleigh-based WakeMed Health and Hospitals have filled meeting rooms, fired off emails to elected officials, carried signs and bought radio ads as they argued over what the deal would mean for Wake County. Wake County commissioners are…
A Greensboro mom navigates SNAP renewals, program changes and high grocery costs
By Will Atwater Key Takeaways: For nearly three years, Kensley Wellons, 54, has helped ensure that Greensboro schoolchildren have nutritious meals each day. Wellons, an elementary school cafeteria staff member, said a typical shift includes preparing meals, stocking canned goods deliveries, running the register during lunch service and connecting with students. Her work doesn’t end…
As Atrium pursues WakeMed, a look inside its last big North Carolina deal
By Michelle Crouch Key Takeaways: As Atrium Health continues its push to join forces with Raleigh-based WakeMed Health & Hospitals, its leaders have repeatedly pointed to another North Carolina deal as evidence of what to expect: its 2020 combination with Winston-Salem-based Wake Forest Baptist. “Don’t judge us by what we say; judge us by what…