Rome Health has been selected as one of eight hospitals nationwide to participate in the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program, a federal initiative that provides no-cost technical assistance to strengthen rural hospital financial performance and align services with community need.
The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, a division of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Services and technical assistance are managed and provided by the National Rural Health Resource Center.
“Hospitals nationwide are facing escalating financial pressures that will intensify in 2027 and 2028 with the full implementation of H.R. 1. For safety-net community hospitals like Rome Health, those pressures are compounded by an unfavorable payer mix, higher reliance on government reimbursement, workforce constraints, and the limited economies of scale inherent to rural markets,” said Rome Health President and Chief Executive Officer AnneMarie. “The rigorous analysis provided through the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program will help us prioritize high-impact strategies to support long-term sustainability and continued access to care.”
Hospitals selected for this cohort will collaborate, share best practices, and build a national peer network. Subject matter experts from the National Rural Health Resource Center, alongside experienced rural health consultants, will guide participating organizations in adopting evidence-based models to improve financial stability and operational efficiency.
Rome Health will receive comprehensive financial and operational assessments from nationally recognized rural health consulting firm Forvis Mazars. These assessments will inform actionable implementation plans to enhance operations and expand or introduce new service lines—ensuring more care remains local for patients in Rome and surrounding rural communities. The program also includes supportive funding for operational and equipment costs tied to service line development.
Vice President Communications and| Grants Administration Cassie Winter will serve as project manager. As part of the award, Rome Health will receive funding to support a community engagement champion. Chief Quality Officer Scott Burns has been appointed to this role, where he will lead outreach initiatives, strengthen community partnerships, and amplify the hospital’s impact across the region.
“Scott’s deep understanding of both Rome Health and our community makes him uniquely suited for this responsibility,” Czyz said. “Sustainable rural health care depends on listening to those we serve, reducing barriers to access, and continuously improving patient experience and quality.”