Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Launches Palliative Care Clinic
Lumberton, NC – Beginning in March, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare will launch a new palliative care clinic in partnership with UNC Health Southeastern. This first-of-its-kind clinic in Robeson County will initially operate one half-day per week, with plans to expand availability as patient demand grows.
The program supports patients at any stage of serious illness, providing an extra layer of support alongside curative treatment. Services focus on relief from pain and symptoms, emotional and spiritual support, and guidance for patients and families navigating complex medical decisions.
Palliative care services will also extend to patients’ homes and via telehealth, helping individuals manage complex symptoms, clarify goals of care, and improve quality of life while continuing treatment for serious illness.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with LifeCare by opening a palliative care office in Lumberton,” said UNC Health Southeastern Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lori Dove. “This new practice will address a critical healthcare need in Robeson County, ensuring our patients receive compassionate and comprehensive care close to home. We are committed to making a lasting impact in the communities we serve.”
Joshua McCullough, DNP, will serve as a palliative care nurse practitioner, further expanding access to specialized care for people with serious illnesses across the region. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and holds advanced certification in hospice and palliative care. His clinical expertise includes symptom management, advanced care planning, caregiver support, and interdisciplinary care coordination for patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses.
McCullough has more than a decade of experience in hospice, palliative, and critical care, with a strong clinical background in hospital, hospice, and home-based settings. He joins LifeCare following leadership roles in palliative medicine and hospice care within the UNC Health system and is a recipient of the 2025 Hospice & Palliative Nursing Foundation Emerging Leader Award.
“Joshua’s depth of experience and patient-centered approach align perfectly with our mission,” said CEO Gwen Whitley. “His role strengthens our ability to meet patients where they are, whether that is in the clinic, at home, or virtually.”
About Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality hospice, palliative, and memory care services to patients in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. For more than 45 years, the organization has served as a trusted community resource, helping individuals and families navigate life-limiting illnesses with comfort and dignity. Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is proud to be recognized as a Five-Star Hospice by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an honor earned through the voices of families we’ve served. Rooted in compassion, excellence, and comprehensive support, we remain committed to making a meaningful difference for every patient, family, and community we touch. Learn more at LifeCare.org.
About UNC Health Southeastern
In addition to offering services you’d expect from a community healthcare system, UNC Health Southeastern provides a number of specialized services that are unique to our system and not available anywhere else in the region. The nonprofit system, which is part of UNC Health, offers a combination of acute care, intensive care and psychiatric services to more than 13,000 inpatients and 50,000 emergency patients annually. It is our mission to provide exceptional care for our diverse region; offer the highest quality standards in a safe environment; and provide compassionate care provided by a committed team. At UNC Health Southeastern, together, we will improve the health and well-being of the region we serve. We are Here for you. Here for good. To learn more, visit UNCHealthSE.org.
