10/14/2026
Interesting development
Northern Dutchess Hospital secures $224,000 state grant for rural EMS transportation planning
HV Newswire
By Roger Rosenbaum
RHINEBECK, N.Y. — Northern Dutchess Hospital has been awarded a $224,000 competitive state grant to plan and develop a new emergency medical services interfacility transportation program aimed at improving patient transfer efficiency across rural Hudson Valley communities, according to a news release.
The funding was awarded through New York State's Rural Community Health Integration initiative, part of the broader state Rural Health Transformation Program. The new program will focus on easing transportation barriers when rural patients require transfer between facilities for specialized or higher-level medical care.
The award comes from a highly selective process that drew more than 90 applications statewide, with each eligible county capped at $500,000 in total planning funds. Northern Dutchess Hospital, which serves Dutchess, Columbia, and Ulster counties, received its allocation from Columbia County.
"This funding represents an important investment in the health of our community and will help us explore innovative ways to strengthen access to care throughout our region," said Dr. Andy Wilson, president of Northern Dutchess Hospital. "As the need for EMS transportation services continues to grow, this planning effort will help us develop solutions that improve care coordination and ensure patients can access the right level of care when and where they need it."
Under the initial grant phase, the hospital will assess regional transit needs, engage community healthcare partners, and design a framework for a long-term, sustainable interfacility transportation service.
"Transportation is a critical link in the healthcare continuum, particularly in rural communities where patients may need to travel longer distances to access specialized care," said Michelle Robertson, president of Northwell Health's Northern Market. Robertson added that the grant allows for a "data-driven approach to understanding current gaps and developing a sustainable EMS interfacility transportation model."
The initial planning grant marks the first stage of a potential multi-year funding stream. Pending successful completion of project requirements and demonstrated community need, Northern Dutchess Hospital may qualify for up to four additional years of expanded state funding.
The state initiative is supported by the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Hospital officials said planning activities and stakeholder outreach will begin in the coming months.
Northwell Health
REMO Regional Emergency Medical Organization
Dutchess County Emergency Management
