ROME — Rome Health will receive $26 million in funding from the New York State Department of Health’s Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program III in support of constructing a new addition to modernize the hospital’s surgical services, announced AnneMarie Czyz, president and CEO of Rome Health.

“We are grateful to Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, County Executive Anthony Picente, and Mayor Jackie Izzo, who strongly advocated on behalf of our application. We also greatly appreciated the insights of RoAnn Destito as we clearly articulated the need for the investment in Rome,” Czyz said. 

“New York State’s generous support will help accelerate Rome Health’s transformation,” she said. “Implementing the full strategic vision for surgical services requires a partnership of public funding and private philanthropy.”

Four new operating rooms will be constructed to replace the hospital’s existing operating rooms — which have been in use for more than 57years. The new operating rooms will be designed with the size and flexibility to accommodate continuous advancements in technology, such as robotics, and more complex surgical procedures.

“This project exemplifies Rome Health’s objective to provide quality health care with compassion in state-of-the-art facilities that reflect the hospital’s demonstrated experience in delivering the highest standards of quality and patient safety,” Czyz said. “Modern facilities will allow Rome Health to meet our community’s increased surgical needs, recruit and retain the best and brightest providers, and make Rome Health a healthcare destination in this specialty,” she said. The hospital’s surgical volume increased by 26% between 2020 and 2021 with the growth in general surgery, weight loss surgery and spine surgery.

According to estimates, the surgical services project will cost more than $30 million when fully implemented. The project will be phased to allow the hospital to continue to provide access to surgical services throughout construction. With state approval, the hospital expects to begin construction in late 2023.

“Rome Health Foundation greatly appreciates the wonderfully generous community, who take such pride in seeing Rome thrive. This is our home,” said Chester DiBari III, Executive Director, Rome Health Foundation. “Born and raised a Roman, I have been humbled to work with community leaders and business partners that relish the opportunity to invest in our healthcare system’s long-term future. I look forward to inviting the whole Rome community to help make this vision a reality. Our community deserves the best care out there, here in Rome.”