As announced at their Nov. 29th Ceremonial Ground Breaking, Rome Health and the Rome Health Foundation have undertaken a historic fund-raising campaign for the new addition for surgical services and intensive care.
The $45.7 million capital project is being funded through a partnership of more than $29 million in public funding and private philanthropy.
The Foundation has raised nearly $15 million from major donors towards its $16.5 million goal in private funding. Now, the Rome Health Foundation is inviting the community to support “Community & Transformation. Here. Our Campaign for Surgical Services & Intensive Care” to help provide the community with the best care out there here.
To support Rome Health Foundation’s Capital Campaign for surgical services and intensive care, please contact the Foundation office at (315) 338.7181. Information can also be found online at: https://www.romehealthfoundation.org/public-giving.html.
Rome Health undertook this campaign recognizing the changing demographics within Oneida County, with nearly 24% of the population reaching the age of 65 by 2030. To meet these changing needs, the campaign’s main component is to construct a 30,000- square-foot, three-floor addition on the hospital’s north side, which will allow the hospital to replace its aging operating rooms with four new ones and create a new 9-bed intensive care unit.
While the main focus of the campaign is the new operating rooms and ICU, to address
Rome Health’s significant goals, the Foundation has centered the campaign on four key pillars:
1. State-of-the-Art Care Facilities
a. Meet the community’s increased need for surgical care by adding greater capacity.
b. Provide a facility to care for critically ill & vulnerable patients.
c. Ensure our facilities match the exceptional care our staff provides at Rome Health.
2. Increased Technological Investment
a. Allow for the continued advancement in surgical procedures using state- of-the-art robotic
technology.
b. Create greater coordination of care between specialties and facility operation.
3. Recruit and Retain Skilled Providers
a. Deliver skilled surgeons an environment to use and advance their expertise and practices.
b. Afford efficiencies for a fully comprehensive care unit, along with world- class support.
4. Rome Health Foundation Endowment for Continued Investment
a. Increase Foundation capacity to support Rome Health’s physical and programmatic priorities.
“The public funding and the diversity of the donors illustrate how much support there is for this project from new donors and long-time friends of the hospital,” DiBari said. “The cause has appealed to individual donors, corporations, and foundations. We’re proud to have even received gifts from former Romans who have contributed in honor of their roots to give back to the community.”
Rome Health has been awarded more than $29 million in public funding, including a $26 million New York State Transformation Grant and $3 million in ARPA funds from the City of Rome. The outpouring of private support has largely been driven by key community members inspired by the project. One example is the Kaplan family, who contributed $5 million towards the project, which is the largest donation in the history of Rome Health. In recognition of their generosity, the new Center for Surgical Services will be called the Kaplan Center for Surgical Services.
In addition to the Florence and Charles Kaplan Foundation gift, the Foundation has received major gifts from the Hinman Family, the Griffin Charitable Foundation, and an anonymous donor who all believe in the vision for the new ICU and the Kaplan Center for Surgical Services.
To foster giving from new donors, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has pledged $250,000 towards the campaign when the Rome Health Foundation receives gifts from 100 new donors.
“Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to our goal,” said DiBari. “Through your generosity, we are transforming community-based healthcare to provide local access to great care in state-of-the-art facilities.”
About Rome Health
Rome Health, a non-profit health care system based in Rome, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York. From primary and specialty care to long-term care, Rome Health delivers quality, compassionate medical care for every stage of life. We are a comprehensive health care system that connects you to the best clinicians and the latest technologies so they are easily accessible to you and your family. Rome Health is an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Health and an affiliated clinical site of New York Medical College.