Our story began with two brothers whose passion for medicine and giving back to their community laid the foundation for generations of quality care. In the late 1860s, John and Ben McNeill graduated from Edenborough Medical College in Raeford, which was North Carolina’s first medical school. They began their medical practice in Hope Mills and quickly expanded their knowledge by studying pharmaceuticals—allowing them to compound and dispense their own medicines by 1875. This marked the start of what would become one of North Carolina’s oldest family-owned pharmacies, known today as McNeill’s Pharmacy.

In 1886, the brothers moved to Brunswick County, seeking new opportunities. Ben pursued an interest in politics and became a member of the North Carolina General Assembly House of Representatives. In 1901, the beloved doctor took ill and died of pneumonia. That same year, John purchased a medical practice in Whiteville. However, the move did not go as planned. The schooner carrying his medical diplomas, pharmacy equipment and personal belongings sank in a storm at Lockwood Folly. Despite the circumstances, John persevered and successfully opened a medical practice and pharmacy in Whiteville, beginning a legacy of resilience and commitment to care.

John’s son, George, graduated from Page’s School of Pharmacy in 1905 and joined the family business. He and his wife, Lyda, raised four children and worked side by side to grow the pharmacy. Lyda kept the books for the pharmacy until the age of 90.

Their son, Johnny, continued the tradition, earning his pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1940. Johnny put his pharmacy career on hold to join the U.S. Navy, serving as a line officer in the South Pacific during World War II. When he returned from the war, he resumed his role at the pharmacy, married and raised six children—Sandy, Ronnie, George, Mary, Jim and Jane—all of whom would go on to shape the future of Liberty Health. Sandy and Mary even followed in their father’s footsteps, earning pharmacy degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill.

From a young age, the six children had a hand in the daily operation of the pharmacy. They saw first-hand the importance of quality care and how it enhanced the lives of the families who walked through the pharmacy doors. It was that kind of care that inspired them to continue to pursue careers in healthcare and expand care beyond just the Whiteville pharmacy.

As healthcare needs evolved, so did the McNeill family’s vision. Sandy started his own pharmacies and teamed up with his brother, Ronnie, to pursue ventures in medical supply equipment. Together, they built up the Medicare Supply Company from a relatively small operation with one location to a multimillion-dollar business with 16 locations. They sold the company to the Avon Corporation in 1986.

In 1989, Sandy and Ronnie purchased Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., commonly referred to as PPD, when it had just 12 employees. Today, PPD is a global contract research organization with 35,000 professionals worldwide.

These business ventures introduced new levels of care and services, setting the stage for Liberty Health’s comprehensive approach to senior care.

In 1987, the McNeills began building their first assisted living community, known today as The Commons at Brightmore of Wilmington. This marked the beginning of Liberty Health, named in honor of their father’s naval service and lifelong love of the word “liberty.” From that moment, Liberty Health grew rapidly to meet the growing healthcare needs of older adults across the Southeast.

Today, Liberty Health is a fully integrated healthcare provider that offers a continuum of senior care services, including:

• Liberty Health and Rehab: 34 skilled nursing centers
• Liberty Senior Living: 14 assisted/independent living communities and 7 Life Plan Communities
• Liberty Home Care and Hospice: 30 locations, providing home health, palliative and hospice Care
• McNeill’s Pharmacy: 2 pharmacies, still proudly operating in Whiteville
• Liberty Medical Specialties: 10 locations, offering medical equipment and infusion services
• Liberty Medicare Advantage: Medicare Advantage health plans, offering HMO I-SNP and HMO C-SNP options

Liberty Health’s family of companies now spans six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana. Our comprehensive approach to care ensures residents, patients and families have peace of mind knowing they’re supported by a compassionate and experienced team at every stage.

Now led by the fourth and fifth generations of the McNeill family, Liberty Health remains committed to the same core values established in 1875: quality, honesty, integrity and a deep commitment to caring for others. With over 150 years of history, Liberty Health stands as a beacon of innovation and tradition in senior care.

From a small-town pharmacy in Whiteville to a network of integrated healthcare services across the Southeast, Liberty Health is proud to celebrate the milestone of caring for others for 150 years with the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing this legacy for generations to come.