Our Practice

The Pediatric center was founded by Dr. Charles Hicks, and his first office was a room at the Babies Hospital on the Intracoastal Waterway before building this current office adjacent to the newly built hospital across town in 1967. For over 50 years, it has been recognized as one of Wilmington's cornerstones for primary pediatric care.

The link above details some of the unique and pioneering history of pediatric care in southeastern North Carolina. Medicine has changed significantly since this hospital opened in 1920, but the locals still believe that the fresh ocean air is great for our health

Dr. Charles Hicks was a pioneer in the care of children here in Wilmington, and his heartwarming smile and easy bedside manner reassured many worried parents over the decades. Dr. Hicks' medical expertise saved countless children's lives during his career, with a wisdom that was only surpassed by his passion to never stop learning.

His generosity continued as a foster parent, as he and his wife, Donna, took struggling children into their home. He made it his lifelong mission to help those who could not help themselves. He is missed by his surviving family and friends, but our connection to him as a leader, mentor, and role model ensures his legacy will live on.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center opened its new 179,000 square foot Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital in September 2008. It includes all private rooms with full baths, patient and family centered care, decentralized nursing as well as a gift shop, women's boutique and food concession.

The children's hospital is staffed by full-time Pediatric Hospitalists who can closely monitor our inpatient pediatric population. That means better and more efficient care for our sick hospitalized kids here in Wilmington. In addition, the center has allowed New Hanover Regional Medical Center to expand into pediatric intensive care now that our six bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has opened.