To the editor:
At Atmore Community Hospital, we are proud of the vital role we play in Atmore and surrounding areas. On November 16th, we’ll join hospitals nationwide to celebrate “National Rural Health Day.” It’s a time to recognize the men and women who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week caring for our community. This year,
I hope you will join me in thanking these dedicated hospital employees, physicians and volunteers for their commitment and service.
What does it mean to be a rural hospital in Atmore, Alabama?
* It means providing access to high quality health care close to home;
* It means having a place to go when there’s an emergency and every second counts; last year, our Emergency Department had nearly 14,000 patient visits;
* It means providing job opportunities; our hospital employs over 150 people, making us one of the largest employers in Escambia County;
* It means economic development; rural hospitals and access to local health care are critical in recruiting businesses to our community.
Atmore Community Hospital is one of only four hospitals in the region recognized by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as a “4 Star” hospital. In partnership with Infirmary Health, we’re striving to enhance the care we provide our patients by focusing on patient safety, best practices in care delivery, attention to patient satisfaction, technology improvements, adding needed and financially sustainable new services, and recruiting new physicians and providers.
While there are many challenges facing rural hospitals today, our entire health care team is pleased to have served the Atmore area community for over 60 years.
On “National Rural Health Day,” we not only acknowledge our dedicated, compassionate employees, physicians and volunteers, but also thank the community for its support as we continue to chart our course for the future. We’re proud to be a cornerstone of this community, proud to be a major employer and, most of all, proud to provide great health care to our friends and neighbors.
Cordially,
Douglas Tanner, FACHE, President