04/08/2026
Weâre excited to see whatâs to come with this new change at RMC! â¨
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City of Anniston Announces Agreement for Orlando Health to Acquire Regional Medical Center (04/07/26)
Partnership positions hospital for long-term stability, investment, workforce continuity, and expanded healthcare across Northeast Alabama
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- Link to Press Release: https://tinyurl.com/CityOfAnnistonRMC
- Link to Announcement Video: https://tinyurl.com/AnnistonRMC
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FULL RELEASE:
The City of Anniston, Alabama announced today that Regional Medical Center (RMC) has 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.
City leaders say the partnership represents an important step toward strengthening the future of healthcare in Anniston and throughout Northeast Alabama through new investment, expanded services, and access to the resources of a larger health system.
âToday marks a defining moment for the City of Anniston and the future of healthcare in our region,â said Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston. âAfter months of intentional work behind the scenes, we are proud to announce the acquisition of Regional Medical Center by Orlando Health â a nationally recognized leader in healthcare and, quite frankly, one of the best systems in the country.
âLet 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. 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.
âOur residents have been vocal about what they want and what they deserve: better care, greater accountability, and a healthcare system they can trust. We didnât respond with a temporary fix, we delivered a long-term solution.
âThis partnership with Orlando Health positions Anniston as the hub for high-quality healthcare in Northeast Alabama. It signals to families, businesses, and future investment that our city is serious about growth, serious about outcomes, and serious about doing things the right way.
âWe are not competing at the margins, we are leading. Anniston deserves the best. And that is exactly what we secured.â
Regional Medical Center has served as a cornerstone of care for families across this region for generations. As healthcare continues to change across rural America, City officials said communities are increasingly being called upon to make thoughtful, long-range decisions to preserve quality care close to home.
âHealthcare across rural America is changing, and independent community hospitals everywhere are facing increasing financial and operational challenges,â Smith-Roston said. âOur hospital has proudly served this region for generations, but sustaining healthcare today requires significant resources, investment, and the support of a larger healthcare network.â
Because the hospital facility is owned by the City of Anniston, municipal leaders said the City has a responsibility to ensure that this critical community asset remains strong and sustainable for the long term.
âThe hospital facility is owned by the City of Anniston, and with that ownership comes a responsibility,â Smith-Roston said. âOur role is to ensure that this community asset continues serving residents in the strongest and most sustainable way possible.â
After careful evaluation and collaboration with the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority, the Anniston City Council determined that partnering with Orlando Health offered the best path forward to protect long-term healthcare access for both the community and the broader region.
Under the agreement, Regional Medical Center will become part of Orlando Healthâs Alabama Region. City officials said all current employees will transition to Orlando Health on day one, with their existing titles, pay, and years of service honored â an important factor in maintaining continuity for the hospital workforce and the community it serves. City leaders also noted that the agreement includes long-term protections designed to help preserve Regional Medical Centerâs presence in Anniston, providing added reassurance as the transition moves forward.
Orlando Health has also indicated plans to invest significant resources in hospital facilities, equipment, and technology, including implementation of an electronic health record system. Those investments are expected to support physician recruitment, expand specialty services, and improve access to care for patients throughout Northeast Alabama.
âStrong healthcare is essential not only to public health, but also to economic growth and community confidence,â Smith-Roston said. âThis 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.â
The City of Anniston, the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority, and Orlando Health have committed to transparency throughout the process. Additional information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.
About Regional Medical Center
Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a regional hospital based in Anniston, Alabama, serving patients across Northeast Alabama. Guided by its mission to provide state-of-the-art healthcare with integrity, RMC is committed to clinical quality, patient experience, community impact, and compassionate care. RMC is one of the regionâs largest employers, supported by more than 1,800 team members, 300+ volunteers, and more than 200 physicians across a broad range of specialties. The hospital is accredited by the American College of Surgeonsâ Commission on Cancer and has earned Blue Distinction Center+ recognition from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for Orthopedic and Maternity Care. RMC was also the first Baby-Friendly designated birthing facility in Alabama and is recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a private, not-for-profit healthcare system serving communities across the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. In Alabama, the system has continued expanding its presence following its 2024 acquisition of Baptist Health in Birmingham. Orlando Healthâs Alabama Region includes more than 1,700 licensed beds, 58 primary and specialty care clinics, 2,600 affiliated physicians, and more than 6,100 team members.
About the City of Anniston
The City of Anniston serves as a regional hub for government, commerce, culture, and community life in Northeast Alabama. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Anniston was founded in 1872 as a private iron company town and officially opened to the public in 1883. Today, the city remains committed to expanding economic opportunity, enhancing public safety, revitalizing neighborhoods, and delivering transparent, responsive public service. The city is distinguished by assets including the Chief Ladiga Trail â Alabamaâs first extended rails-to-trails project â the Anniston Museums and Gardens, the Anniston Regional Airport, the Anniston Army Depot, and the former Fort McClellan.
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