ANNISTON, AL — The City of Anniston has announced that Regional Medical Center (RMC) has entered into an agreement to become part of Orlando Health, following approval from both the Anniston City Council and the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority.
City officials describe the agreement as a significant step toward strengthening healthcare access and long-term sustainability across Northeast Alabama. The partnership is expected to bring expanded services, infrastructure investment, and access to a broader healthcare network.
“Today marks a defining moment for the City of Anniston and the future of healthcare in our region,” said Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston. “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.
“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. 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.
“Our residents have been vocal about what they want and what they deserve: better care, greater accountability, and a healthcare system they can trust. We didn’t respond with a temporary fix, we delivered a long-term solution.
“This 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.
“We are not competing at the margins, we are leading. Anniston deserves the best. And that is exactly what we secured.”
Regional Medical Center has served the community for generations and remains a key healthcare provider and employer in the region. However, like many independent hospitals in rural areas, it has faced increasing financial and operational pressures.
“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, officials emphasized their responsibility to ensure its continued stability and service to the community.
“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.”
After evaluating options alongside the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority, the Anniston City Council determined that partnering with Orlando Health offered the most sustainable path forward.
In a memorandum to staff dated April 7, 2026, RMC CEO Keith Parrott outlined additional details regarding the transition and what employees can expect moving forward.
“Today, RMC has taken an important step forward by entering into an agreement to join Orlando Health upon regulatory approval, expected this fall,” Parrott stated. “Orlando Health is a private, not-for-profit health system with a strong track record of supporting community hospitals across Alabama and beyond.”
Parrott noted that employees, physicians, and facilities will become part of the Orlando Health system, emphasizing continuity for staff.
“All asset facilities, employees, and physicians will then operate as part of the Orlando Health ecosystem, a vast network of care that emphasizes culture, advanced care, and clinical excellence,” he said. “Employees will transition on day one with their current title and pay, and years of service will be honored. From a staff perspective, you can expect continuity and stability.”
He also highlighted the anticipated investments and improvements associated with the partnership.
“This partnership allows us to access resources we simply haven’t had on our own. Orlando Health is committed to investing significant resources to enhance RMC’s facilities, equipment, and technology, including a transition to Epic, the gold standard for electronic health records,” Parrott said. “These investments will help us continue improving care for our patients, expanding services, and accelerating our growth and improvement plans.”
Parrott further addressed concerns about maintaining local care and services.
“There are also protections built into this agreement to ensure care stays rooted here in our community. The vision is to grow what we have, adding services, recruiting physicians, and strengthening our role as a regional healthcare hub, not to relocate or diminish services.”
As the transition process continues, Parrott emphasized communication and transparency with staff.
“As we move forward, our approach will be grounded in listening first and communicating often. We are committed to being honest and transparent as we navigate this transition together. You can expect additional updates soon with more details around timelines, next steps, and opportunities to ask questions.”
Under the agreement, all current RMC employees are expected to transition to Orlando Health, with their existing roles, compensation, and years of service maintained. City officials said this continuity is important for both the workforce and patient care.
Orlando Health has indicated plans to invest in facilities, equipment, and technology, including the implementation of an electronic health record system. These investments are expected to support physician recruitment, expand specialty services, and improve access to care throughout the region.
“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.”
Officials from the City of Anniston, the Regional Medical Center Healthcare Authority, and Orlando Health stated they intend to maintain transparency throughout the transition, with additional details to be shared as they become available.
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