Rome Health formally opens new surgical center

ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health formally opened its new Kaplan Center for Surgical Services on Monday, July 7, according to a post on the health organization’s Facebook page. The center opened earlier than planned after state Health Department approval on Thursday, July 3. “Thanks to the close collaboration between our construction team, the New York State Department of Health, and the incredible agility and flexibility of our staff, we were able to accelerate the transition to our new facility,” Chief Nursing Officer Ahsley Edwards said in the post. “This move comes at a critical time as we’ve recently experienced inconsistencies with heating and humidity in the existing ORs that have disrupted case flow. Transitioning sooner ensures we continue caring for our patients in the safest possible environment.” Rome Health also recently opened its new main entrance and intensive care unit (ICU). Both are part of the organization’s $45.7 million capital-improvement project to modernize surgical and critical-care services to ensure patients have access to care close to home. Funding for the project comes from a mix of public support and private philanthropy, including a $26 million New York State Healthcare Facility Transformation Grant, $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the City of Rome, and $500,000 in ARPA funds from Oneida County. The Kaplan Center for Surgical Services is named in honor of Charles and Florence Kaplan, whose $5 million gift stands as the largest donation in Rome Health’s history. “This is more than just a new space,” Rome Health President/CEO AnneMarie Czyz said. “It’s a major investment in the health and wellbeing of our community. The Kaplan Center for Surgical Services is built for the future of surgery, combining clinical excellence, innovative technology, and a healing environment that puts patients first.” The center includes four spacious, state-of-the-art operating rooms designed to accommodate advanced surgical procedures, including minimally-invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries, and two procedure rooms. The new nine-bed ICU, which opened on June 18, offers private rooms, family accommodations, specialty care rooms, and modern infection-control systems. The new main entrance includes expanded parking and a more welcoming arrival experience. The next phases of the project, which will focus on renovating former operating rooms and constructing modern clinical-support spaces, are on track for completion in 2026.