Anniston, AL – A new chapter in Anniston healthcare officially began Wednesday, Oct. 1, as the former RMC Health System completed its transition to Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital following Orlando Health’s acquisition of the local healthcare system.
The transition includes the 375-bed hospital, outpatient facilities and specialty practices and brings the longtime Anniston hospital into Orlando Health’s Baptist Health network in Alabama.
For generations, RMC has provided healthcare services to families throughout Anniston, Calhoun County and Northeast Alabama. While the name has changed, hospital and local officials have emphasized preserving that history while using the resources of a larger healthcare system to expand services and invest in the facility.
The transition follows approval of the partnership by the Anniston City Council and the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority.
Under terms announced when the agreement was approved earlier this year, current employees were expected to transition with their existing titles, pay and years of service recognized. Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital has nearly 2,000 employees and approximately 200 physicians representing a range of medical specialties.
Keith Parrott, president of Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital, said the partnership provides an opportunity to build on the hospital’s existing role in the region.
“This is a significant opportunity to increase access to high-quality healthcare in our community and bolster the economic vitality for the region,” Parrott said.
Orlando Health has also outlined plans for significant investment in the hospital over the next five years, including improvements to facilities, equipment and technology. One planned project is the implementation of an electronic health record system.
Those investments are also expected to support physician recruitment, additional specialty services and expanded access to healthcare across Northeast Alabama.
Dr. Almena Free, chief medical officer of Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital, said the hospital has already experienced growth during the past year through expanded service lines, new technology, facility improvements and physician recruitment.
“One of the most significant benefits of this partnership will be our connection to the other hospitals in the Baptist Health network,” Free said. “That collaboration will help residents receive trusted care close to home while providing access to an expanding network of physicians and specialists.”
The agreement also included provisions intended to provide long-term stability for the Anniston hospital and preserve its presence in the community.
Thibaut van Marcke, senior vice president of Orlando Health and president of Baptist Health, said the organizations share a focus on expanding healthcare services in the communities they serve.
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital to the Baptist Health family,” van Marcke said. “This partnership brings together the strength and resources of two organizations with a shared commitment to serving patients and communities.”
Orlando Health expanded its presence in Alabama in 2024 when it purchased a majority interest in Baptist Health in Birmingham. The Baptist Health system includes five hospitals in central Alabama with more than 1,700 licensed beds, 58 primary and specialty care clinics and more than 2,600 affiliated physicians, according to Orlando Health.
Anniston Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston said the transition represents both a continuation of RMC’s history and an opportunity for the hospital’s future.
“RMC Health System has served generations of families across our community, and its transition to Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital honors that legacy while positioning the institution to serve generations to come,” Smith-Roston said.
In a separate statement regarding the partnership, Smith-Roston also pointed to the relationship between healthcare and the broader community.
“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 transition also marks a significant change for the physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers who have worked under the RMC name and served patients throughout the region.
Orlando Health is a private, nonprofit healthcare system headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with operations in Florida, Alabama and Puerto Rico. The organization reports approximately $15 billion in assets under management.
With the acquisition now complete, the RMC Health System name gives way to Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital as the Anniston facility begins operating as part of the larger Baptist Health and Orlando Health network.
