ANNISTON, Ala. (WBMA) — A major change is coming to healthcare in Anniston after city leaders approved an agreement for Orlando Health to acquire Regional Medical Center, a move officials say is aimed at long-term stability, new investment and expanded services across Northeast Alabama.
The City of Anniston announced today that Regional Medical Center entered into an agreement to join Orlando Health, a private, not-for-profit healthcare system, following approval by the Anniston City Council and the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority.
Orlando Health acquired a majority stake in Brookwood Baptist Health, another Alabama hospital, in 2024.
“Today marks a defining moment for the City of Anniston and the future of healthcare in our region,” Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston said. “After months of intentional work behind the scenes, we are proud to announce the acquisition of Regional Medical Center by Orlando Health — a nationally recognized leader in healthcare and, quite frankly, one of the best systems in the country.”
Smith-Roston said the partnership is intended to strengthen healthcare in Anniston and throughout Northeast Alabama through investment, expanded services and access to the resources of a larger health system.
“Let me be clear: this is not a small step. This is not a partial solution. And this is not a one-service expansion. This is a complete transformation,” Smith-Roston said. “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.”
City officials said the agreement comes as independent community hospitals face growing financial and operational pressures, particularly in rural areas.
“Healthcare across rural America is changing, and independent community hospitals everywhere are facing increasing financial and operational challenges,” Smith-Roston said. “Our hospital has proudly served this region for generations, but sustaining healthcare today requires significant resources, investment, and the support of a larger healthcare network.”
Because the hospital facility is owned by the City of Anniston, municipal leaders said the city has a responsibility to ensure the hospital remains sustainable.
“The hospital facility is owned by the City of Anniston, and with that ownership comes a responsibility,” Smith-Roston said. “Our role is to ensure that this community asset continues serving residents in the strongest and most sustainable way possible.”
Under the agreement, Regional Medical Center will become part of Orlando Health’s Alabama Region. City officials said all current employees will transition to Orlando Health on day one, with existing titles, pay and years of service honored. Leaders also said the agreement includes long-term protections designed to help preserve Regional Medical Center’s presence in Anniston.
Orlando Health has indicated plans to invest significant resources in hospital facilities, equipment and technology, including implementation of an electronic health record system. City officials said those investments are expected to support physician recruitment, expand specialty services and improve access to care for patients throughout Northeast Alabama.
“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.”
The city, the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority and Orlando Health said they have committed to transparency throughout the process and that additional information will be shared publicly as it becomes available.
“We are excited to welcome RMC’s team members and physicians to Orlando Health,” said David Strong, president and CEO, Orlando Health. “Together, we look forward to investing in excellent services that will benefit the region, partnering with physicians, purposefully growing and becoming the best place to work.”