Orlando Health Completes Acquisition Of Alabama Health System, Welcomes Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital

Orlando, FL (Oct. 1, 2026) – Orlando Health today finalized its acquisition of RMC Health System in Anniston, Alabama, officially welcoming the 375-bed hospital, outpatient facilities and specialty practices to its Baptist Health system as Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital. The transition marks an important milestone in Orlando Health’s efforts to expand high-quality healthcare and strengthen the health system’s presence across Alabama.

“This is a significant opportunity to increase access to high-quality healthcare in our community and bolster the economic vitality for the region,” said Keith Parrott, president, Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital. “The bold decision by the Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston Board, as well as Anniston's mayor and city council, to partner with Orlando Health and Baptist Health will be a major milestone in capitalizing on these growth and improvement opportunities for Anniston, Calhoun County, and the surrounding communities. Our entire team at RMC Health System looks forward to joining Baptist Health, taking on the name Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital, and working hard to expand our positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.”

Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital has nearly 2,000 team members and 200 physicians representing a broad range of specialties and is nationally recognized for its commitment to patient care, with multiple accreditations and distinctions reflecting excellence across clinical services such as cancer care, orthopedics and maternity services.  

“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital to the Baptist Health family,” said Thibaut van Marcke, senior vice president, Orlando Health and president, Baptist Health. “This partnership brings together the strength and resources of two organizations with a shared commitment to serving patients and communities. Together, we have an opportunity to expand access to care, enhance services and invest in the future of healthcare in Calhoun County and throughout the region.”   

Orlando Health is committed to investing significant resources over the next five years to enhance Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital’s facilities, equipment and technology. This initiative includes the implementation of an electronic health record system for medical records management.  

“Over the past twelve months, we have seen such amazing growth, including expanded service lines, new technology, facility upgrades, and physician recruitment,” said Almena Free, M.D., chief medical officer, Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital. “We have been able to achieve this growth with the knowledge that Baptist Health would continue to support our efforts to provide the best care possible to our communities. One of the most significant benefits of this partnership will be our connection to the other hospitals in the Baptist Health network. That collaboration will help residents receive trusted care close to home while providing access to an expanding network of physicians and specialists.”

In 2024, Orlando Health purchased the majority interest in Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama, which consists of five hospitals across central Alabama with more than 1,700 licensed beds, 58 primary and specialty care clinics, 2,600 affiliated physicians and more than 6,100 team members. 

Local leaders say the collaboration with Orlando Health will help accelerate plans to strengthen Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital’s role as a regional referral center and expand access to care for patients across the region. 

“RMC Health System has served generations of families across our community, and its transition to Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital honors that legacy while positioning the institution to serve generations to come,” said Ciara Smith-Roston, mayor of Anniston. “The Baptist Health Calhoun Hospital name signals that healthcare in Anniston is moving forward, backed by the strength and resources of a nationally recognized healthcare system. Our residents deserve access to high-quality care they can trust, close to home, and that is the future we are building here in Anniston.” 

Click here for a higher resolution photo of the hospital.

About Orlando Health  

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $15 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States — including Florida and Alabama — and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida, the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health is dedicated to improving the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $2 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 2024, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

About Baptist Health

Baptist Health, which serves Central Alabama, is part of Orlando Health, Inc., a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $15 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Baptist Health, with roots extending more than 100 years, consists of five hospitals and more than 1,700 licensed beds, making it the largest healthcare network in central Alabama. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

About City of Anniston

The City of Anniston, Alabama, serves as a regional center for government, commerce, culture, and community life in Northeast Alabama. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Anniston was founded in 1872 by Samuel Noble and Alfred Tyler as a private iron company town and officially opened to the public in 1883. Today, the city remains committed to strengthening economic opportunities, public safety, neighborhood revitalization, and transparent public service. Anniston continues to invest in infrastructure, business growth, historic preservation, and quality-of-life amenities that support both residents and visitors. The city is distinguished by assets including the Chief Ladiga Trail, Alabama’s first extended rails-to-trails project; the Anniston Museums and Gardens, home to a Smithsonian Affiliate museum; the Anniston Regional Airport; the Anniston Army Depot; and the former Fort McClellan area, which remains an important part of the city’s historical and economic landscape. Anniston is also proud to be a designated Main Street Alabama community and home to a highly rated ISO Class 2 Fire Department.

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