MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Rural Hospital Foundation, a private non-profit designed to provide direct funding for rural hospitals across Alabama, was unveiled today by its organizers.
Jamie Troutman, a Cullman economic developer and former member of the State Health Coordinating Council, serves as president of the foundation’s board and said its work will help combat the rural healthcare crisis taking place in less developed regions of the state.
“More than a half-dozen rural hospitals in Alabama have been forced to close as a result of funding issues, and out of the 52 remaining, roughly half are considered to be at risk of closure, with 20 of them on the verge of shutting their doors any day,” Troutman said.
“Access to healthcare affects the physical health of Alabamians in rural areas, but it also determines the economic health of the places they live, and our foundation’s goal is to improve both of those vital quality-of-life factors.”
According to a news release, the foundation will leverage the expertise of its board members, many of whom lead the largest healthcare systems operating within the state, to advance the health, well-being, and economic development in rural Alabama.
To help achieve its fundraising and philanthropic goals, the foundation will participate in the Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Program, which was created through legislation passed by State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) and Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) and allows individuals, businesses, and corporations to receive dollar-for-dollar state tax credits for donations they make to benefit rural hospitals.
In addition to Troutman, members of the Alabama Rural Hospital Foundation board are Doug Brewer, CEO of Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis; Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of UAB Health System and its 15 hospitals; Jason Davis, vice president of Alabama Power’s Southeast Division; Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance; Mark Nix, president and CEO of Mobile’s Infirmary Health, which serves the healthcare needs of 11 Gulf Coast counties; Jeff Samz, president and CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System and its 14 hospitals; Russ Tyner, president and CEO of Baptist Health Montgomery and its three hospitals; and Evie Mauldin, counsel/senior vice president of Bank Independent, which services 18 communities across northwest Alabama.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
