06/19/2025
Yesterday marked the official opening of our beautiful new Main Lobby at Rome Health—transforming how our community accesses care. In addition, Rome Health received approval from the Department of Health Wednesday morning for the new ICU and completed the transition of our ICU patients into our new, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit!
Rome Health received final approval from the New York State Department of Health to open its new 9-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) this morning, Wednesday, June 18, marking a major milestone in the hospital’s continued transformation of community-based healthcare.
All patients were successfully transitioned today from the hospital’s previous ICU—constructed in 1969—into the modern, purpose-built facility designed to support advanced critical care. The hospital conducted a tabletop exercise in advance to ensure a smooth transition for patients and team members.
“Replacing our aging ICU was the next capital investment needed to ensure local access to high-quality critical care services for patients and their families,” said Rome Health President and Chief Executive Officer AnneMarie Czyz, RN, EdD. “We are incredibly grateful to the City of Rome and the generous donors whose support brought this vision to life. Together, we are delivering the best care out there—right here.”
The new ICU reflects Rome Health’s commitment to providing high-quality care in an environment designed to promote healing, safety, and connection:
• Spacious private rooms equipped with the latest critical care technology, including ventilators, IV pumps, monitoring systems, and specialty beds to reduce the risk of pressure injuries.
• Family-friendly accommodations in each room, including sleeper sofas and seating to encourage family involvement, which research shows can significantly improve patient outcomes.
• Private, handicapped-accessible restrooms in each room—an upgrade from the shared facilities in the previous ICU.
• Specialty rooms tailored to meet the needs of patients of size and those with behavioral health challenges, enhancing patient and staff safety.
• Advanced ventilation systems to support infection control and protect vulnerable patients.
• Natural daylight and thoughtful design to support a comfortable and calming healing environment that may reduce length of stay.
• Bedside charting pods to support more seamless, patient-centered care by keeping the care team close at hand.
“At Rome Health, we are transforming community-based healthcare to ensure that patients have convenient access to the highest level of care in facilities that match the exceptional quality our team delivers,” Czyz added.
The new ICU is part of the hospital’s $45.7 million capital improvement project to modernize surgical and critical care services. The new Main Entrance also opened June 18th with expanded parking for patients and visitors.
Construction of the new Kaplan Center for Surgical Services is nearing completion and is expected to open in July, pending final approval from the NYS Department of Health.
Phases II and III of the capital project—featuring the renovation of former operating rooms and construction of modern clinical support areas—remain on track for completion in 2026.
To learn more about how you can support the hospital’s ongoing capital projects, visit https://www.romehealthfoundation.org/
