Our History
The Early Years
In 1994, a steering committee representing over 20 local agencies in New Hanover County was formed to address critical issues of concern in the community. In particular, two key issues were identified:
- The unserved and underserved adolescents in New Hanover and surrounding counties.
- The increasing risks of poor health outcomes and avoidable deaths among adolescents.
The committee concluded that the creation of a specialty center and staff was the answer and, in 1995, Wilmington Health Access for Teens (WHAT) was incorporated under the direction and leadership of Founder and Executive Director Emeritus, Connie Parker who, today, is the Founder and former Executive Director of the North Carolina School-Based Health Alliance.
With start-up support from the Cape Fear Area United Way, The Duke Endowment and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as well as in-kind support from New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation and sponsorship, WHAT, opened its doors at its main facility on Oleander Drive in 1997.
Major Milestones
WHAT opened its first school-based health center (SBHC) at Lakeside High School which was re-named to Mary S. Mosley Performance Learning Center in 2009.
1999
2002
WHAT’s main facility on Oleander Drive was expanded with support from the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation.
WHAT opens its second SBHC at New Hanover High School in downtown Wilmington.
2004
2008
WHAT opened its third SBHC at Ashley High School.
The New Hanover County Board of Education closed the Mary S. Mosley Performance Learning Center and consequently, WHAT's location within the school.
2011
2013
WHAT opened an SBHC at Laney High School- New Hanover County’s largest.
WHAT merged with Coastal Horizons Center and opened its newest SBHC at Hoggard High School.
2016
2024
WHAT remains the only integrated school-based health care provider in Wilmington, NC exclusively for adolescents and young adults, and continues to build strong, collaborative relationships within the community, the region, and statewide.