Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Anniston will soon be under new leadership after an agreement between the city and Orlando Health.
Anniston owns the hospital, but Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston said the partnership will improve health care and ensure it remains operational.
“Let me be clear: this is not a small step. This is not a partial solution and this is not a one-service expansion,” said Smith-Roston. “This is a complete transformation. While others may celebrate incremental additions to healthcare access, Anniston has secured a partner that is bringing a full system of excellence, raising the standard across the board, from emergency care to specialized services and long-term patient outcomes.”
Smith-Roston said that with rural healthcare challenges, the partnership will help sustain quality care by adding resources that come with a larger healthcare network.
Orlando Health is a private, not-for-profit healthcare system. The system acquired Baptist Health in 2024.
“RMC is an important addition to Orlando Health’s growing presence in Alabama and strengthens our ability to serve patients across the region,” said Thibaut van Marcke, senior vice president, Orlando Health and president, Baptist Health. “By bringing RMC into the Orlando Health system, we can expand services and collaborate with physicians and team members to enhance access to high-quality care for communities throughout Northeast Alabama.”
UAB Health planned to acquire the hospital in 2023, but those plans never materialized. City leaders decided to move forward with Orlando Health after determining that access to better care was needed.
“Strong healthcare is essential not only to public health, but also to economic growth and community confidence,” Smith-Roston said. “This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for healthcare in Anniston. Together, we are working to strengthen our hospital, expand opportunities for care, and ensure that our community continues to have access to the high-quality healthcare it deserves.”
Employees will transition to Orlando Health with their existing pay, titles and years of service honored.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
