Infirmary Health receives more than $5.3 million to expand rural healthcare in southwest Alabama

MOBILE, Ala. — Infirmary Health has received more than $5.3 million through the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program to expand women’s health services, improve coordination between rural and regional healthcare providers, and train physicians in rural communities across southwest Alabama. The grants are among 138 awards totaling more than $144 million announced Aug. 24, 2026, by Gov. Kay Ivey.

Regional referral and technology network - $3.5 million: The project will connect Infirmary Health with rural hospitals and clinics in Clarke, Mobile and Washington counties. It is designed to strengthen secure information sharing, referral coordination and cybersecurity as patients move between local providers and regional specialty care.

Women’s health projects - more than $1.5 million combined: A $386,000 grant will establish the Rural Women’s Health Hub of Southwest Alabama in Clarke and Washington counties. A $1.12 million grant will launch the Women’s Access to Care Close to Home Initiative in Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh and Escambia counties. Planned services include a weekly women’s health clinic in Millry, expanded prenatal services in Jackson and a mobile, telehealth-enabled program through North Baldwin Infirmary.

Rural physician workforce - $342,147: The Infirmary Rural Physician Workforce Pipeline will establish structured rural clinical rotations for internal medicine residents in Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia, Mobile and Washington counties. The program is designed to strengthen the physician pipeline and expand supervised clinical capacity.

“Investing in rural healthcare means investing in the future of our communities. Southwest Alabama has a strong healthcare foundation, and this funding allows Infirmary Health to build on it by expanding services and meeting the growing needs of the communities we serve,” said Scott Fenn, Senior Vice President - Strategy and Government Relations, Infirmary Health.

The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with 100% of funding provided by CMS/HHS.