On May 29, Rome Health celebrated a major milestone with a ceremonial ribbon cutting for its new Main Entrance, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the Kaplan Center for Surgical Services. The event marked the nearing completion of Phase I of the hospital’s $45.7 million capital project to modernize surgical and critical care services.
During the ceremony, the Rome Health Foundation proudly announced it had officially surpassed its $16.5 million fund-raising goal, thanks to the remarkable generosity and partnership of individuals, corporations, government, and foundations who believed in the vision for the future of healthcare in Rome.
“In our original planning study, we tested a goal of $5 to $7 million in private donations,” said Chester W. DiBari III, Executive Director of the Rome Health Foundation. “To sit here today having raised over $16.5 million—nearly triple what we originally projected—is both humbling and inspiring. This achievement reflects an extraordinary partnership between public and private philanthropy, and the unwavering belief from every donor that high-quality, community-based healthcare matters in Rome. We’re deeply grateful for the trust placed in us and this shared vision.”
As the Rome Health embarks upon Phases II and III of the project, the Foundation continues to welcome contributions toward the other three pillars of the project. To learn more or to make a gift, contact the Foundation at (315) 338-7181 or visit romehealthfoundation.org/public-giving.html.
“We are thrilled to have exceeded our campaign goal and seek to leverage our success to inspire continued philanthropic generosity in our community. Our mission to provide the best community-based care will require continued investment in critical areas such as physician recruitment, advanced technology, and the ongoing operations of our Foundation,” DiBari said.
“This is a proud moment for everyone at Rome Health,” said AnneMarie Czyz, Ed.D., RN, President and CEO of Rome Health. “Bringing the shared vision of this campaign to life didn’t happen by accident. It required support from everyone—our dedicated colleagues, community members, elected officials, donors, and partners. All of these pieces came together to transform community-based healthcare in Rome.”
“There’s a sign you see when you drive into our city that says, ‘Together We Serve.’ As a safety net hospital that ensures access to care for vulnerable populations, that spirit has been at the heart of this entire project,” Czyz said.
The capital project includes a 30,000 square-foot, three-story addition on the hospital’s north side. Phase I includes new operating rooms, a modern ICU, and a redesigned main entrance that enhances the experience for patients and families.
While Phase I is nearing completion, Phases II and III remain ahead, including the renovation of former operating rooms and creation of modern clinical support areas. Phase II is expected to take about 9 to 12 months. Phase III will take approximately 6 months.
Continued investment is essential to fully realize the hospital’s long-term vision and meet evolving patient care needs. The capital campaign was built around four strategic pillars:
• Construction of new facilities
• Investment in capital equipment and robotics
• Physician recruitment
• Growth of the Foundation’s endowment
The Kaplan Center for Surgical Services is named in honor of Charles and Florence Kaplan, whose $5 million gift—the largest in Rome Health’s history— helped launch the campaign and inspire others to give.
Funding for the overall project includes a $26 million New York State Transformation Grant, $3 million in ARPA funds from the City of Rome, $500,000 in ARPA funds from the county and over $16.5 million in contributions from over 400 generous donors. “Every donation continues to build our future,” added DiBari. “There’s still more to do—and we invite the entire community to be part of what’s next.”