A new private nonprofit, the Alabama Rural Hospital Foundation, was unveiled Wednesday with a mission to provide direct funding to rural hospitals across the state and strengthen the communities that rely on them.

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 in the announcement.

“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.”

Organizers said the foundation will leverage the expertise of its board comprised of leaders from several of Alabama’s largest health systems as well as business and economic-development executives to channel private dollars quickly to facilities and projects with the greatest need and potential impact.

Beyond keeping emergency rooms open and stabilizing inpatient services, the foundation plans to prioritize investments that help rural hospitals modernize, recruit and retain clinicians, expand outpatient access, and better integrate with local employers and schools.

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), allowing individuals, businesses, and corporations to receive dollar-for-dollar state tax credits for donations they make to benefit rural hospitals.

In addition to Troutman, the Alabama Rural Hospital Foundation board includes:

• Doug Brewer, CEO, Whitfield Regional Hospital (Demopolis)

• Dawn Bulgarella, CEO, UAB Health System (15 hospitals)

• Jason Davis, Vice President, Alabama Power – Southeast Division

• Lee Lawson, President & CEO, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance

• Mark Nix, President & CEO, Infirmary Health (serving 11 Gulf Coast counties)

• Jeff Samz, President & CEO, Huntsville Hospital Health System (14 hospitals)

• Russ Tyner, President & CEO, Baptist Health Montgomery (three hospitals)

• Evie Mauldin, Of Counsel / Senior Vice President, Bank Independent (serving 18 northwest Alabama communities)

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.