🎙️ AMC Connects Episode 18 is here! In this episode, AnneMarie Czyz and the team bring you the latest updates from Rome Health:

Good news on flu season: New York State declares influenza is no longer prevalent for 2025-2026 — masking requirements lifted for unvaccinated healthcare personnel (while infection prevention remains key). Youth Mental Health Crisis Roundtable: Discussion on the sharp rise in behavioral health visits for children and teens in Oneida County, system barriers, and policy recommendations from the recent Albany meeting. Financial Update: Addressing Medicaid cuts under HR1, Rome Health's proactive "shrink-to-grow" strategy, and the broader impact on hospitals — especially rural facilities. Nursing Highlights: Virtual nursing progress, successful skills fair, reduced turnover, Nursing Week activities, and more from the CNO memo.

Plus, a special guest interview with Vicki Weis, Nurse Leader in Perioperative Services. Vicki shares her inspiring journey into nursing, the major transformation of the Operating Room, leadership lessons on treating staff like family, retaining teams through big changes, and her personal favorites (including the best ice cream at Stewart's!). We also share a heartfelt patient thank-you note and celebrate the incredible care our teams provide every day.

On this episode of AMC Connects, AnneMarie has a conversation with Rome Health's Vice President of Communication and Grants Administration Cassie Winter. They start the conversation discussing the recent employee forum that took place and responded to some of the questions that were brought up throughout the forum. Next they go on to talk about Cassie's 28 year career at Rome health and how Rome Health was recognized by Newsweek as a Greatest Mid-sized Place to Work. Cassie goes on to share her many experiences throughout her tenure at Rome Health and the changes that have taken place internally as well as externally. All this and so much more on this episode of AMC Connects.

AMC holds Rome Health's first quarter of 2026 Employee Forum to give staff an update on how the hospital is progressing so far through 2026. From recognizing achievements obtained by different departments and earning through the hospital as a whole to discussing how Rome Health continues to grow and change at a good constant speed and how we as a whole are working on shirking to grow and how that idea is taking place and being implemented through the hospital. If you missed the live Zoom meeting then you can easily catch-up here. On this episode of AMC Connects.

In this episode, we dive into Rome Health's latest strategic updates, financial performance, construction progress, and a special interview with Eileen Luley, Director of the Cardiopulmonary Department at Rome Health.

Key Highlights:

• February 2026 Month-End Financial Update: Strong performance with a $129K loss (well ahead of the $820K forecast) thanks to quality incentives and operational focus.

• New Patient No-Show & Cancellation Policy starting May 1, 2026 – helping improve access and reduce wasted appointment slots.

• Construction Milestone: Phase 2 of the $45.7M Surgical Services Modernization Project is complete! The new 18-bay pre-op/post-op unit opened on April 6th, improving efficiency and patient experience.

• Growing surgical and endoscopy volumes + recruitment of additional surgeons.

Eileen Luley shares her 20+ year journey in respiratory therapy, leadership insights, the successful "shrink to grow" relocation of pulmonary and neurology services, her passion for smoking cessation, and plans for the future. Plus, we highlight April observances including Occupational Therapy Month, Patient Access Week, and more!

If you're part of the Rome Health community or interested in healthcare leadership, quality care, and operational excellence, this episode is for you.

In this episode, host AnneMarie Czyz dives into Rome Health's vital role in the community and shares the latest insights from the 2026 HANYS report. Discover how healthcare drives New York's economy: supporting 1,500 jobs, generating $28 million in tax dollars, $80 million in payroll, and delivering care to hundreds of thousands of patients.

We also celebrate March's Employees of the Month — Andrea Hamilton Larry and Mark Rundle — and spotlight outstanding care recipients!

Then, AnneMarie sits down with Jodi Wallace, with 13 years at Rome Health. Jodi opens up about: Building a family-like culture in a community hospital Employee recognition, accountability, and professional growth Improving safety (including her personal experiences and new security measures) The push toward Magnet designation and ongoing education Fun morale boosters like movie nights and field days Plus, Jodi shares her hidden talent (master IV inserter!), favorite snack, go-to movie, and more.

If you're part of the Rome Health team, a healthcare professional, or simply interested in how local hospitals make a difference, this episode is for you.

Join President & CEO AnneMarie Czyz (AMC) for another candid, community-focused episode of AMC Connects from Rome Health! This week: Urgent advocacy updates on physician visas and FEMA reimbursements, honest talk about primary care challenges and retention efforts, major safety wins (including our first-in-the-nation Safe Patient Handling Seal!), and an inspiring interview with Chief Quality Officer Scott Burns on our new HRSA-funded community engagement grant.

Plus: A hilarious penguin suit callback, thanks to the team at the Rome Health Foundation for another amazing Gala, and shout-outs to our incredible team! Whether you're part of Rome Health, a patient, or a Central New York neighbor, this episode shows how we're fighting for sustainable rural care—together.

In this episode of AMC Connects, AMC admits she's a little nervous about this week's guest.

Dr. John Restivo joins the show to discuss his dual roles at Rome Health as both Chairman of the Imaging Department and Chairman of the Board.

Dr. Restivo shares insight into what those responsibilities involve and the goals he has not only for AMC, but for Rome Health as a whole. He also reflects on his nearly 30-year tenure at Rome Health, highlighting how much the hospital—especially the Imaging Department—has grown during that time.

The episode wraps up with a fun round of Rapid Fire and a few updates from AMC.

Welcome to Episode 10 of AMC Connects with AnneMarie Czyz, President & CEO of Rome Health! 🎙️

AMC celebrates some new studio upgrades, share exciting team milestones, and dive into key announcements making patient care easier and more accessible. There is a new interpreter services rollout using iPads for all languages (including ASL) – now available in multiple locations for faster, safer communication. Walk-in sick visits pilot for established patients – quick care for simple issues like sore throats or UTIs.

The new EHR project is officially named "Care Sync" after community/staff voting – hear why and what's next.

Then, Sarah Dutch returns for a full pulse check on the Virtual Nursing pilot program: How it's streamlining discharges with virtual nurses handling admin tasks. Positive feedback from patients and staff, new hub setup, and upcoming expansion to admissions + interpreter integration. Sarah gives us the a small glimpse into what is coming and what will be next with this new technology which is being funded through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Future possibilities for efficiency, safety, and more!

Plus, rapid-fire fun with Sarah: favorite snacks, hidden talents, Apple Queen runner-up story, and more!

Lastly, we close with heartfelt thanks to our amazing team and a patient shout-out for outstanding care.