Rome Health celebrates new women’s surgical suite

ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health cut the ribbon on its new women’s surgical suite April 28 at a morning ceremony in honor of Dr. Ankur Desai and Dr. Lauren Giustra. They are longstanding obstetricians and gynecologists practicing at Rome Health.

Located on the fourth floor of Rome Health’s main campus at 1500 James St., the renovated space is adjacent to the maternity department for enhanced patient safety. The facility will officially open in June.

The suite’s main function is to support mothers who have scheduled or are in need of an emergency procedure. It was funded, in part, by $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding via Oneida County government.

“The construction and use of a dedicated women’s surgical suite is very important to all of us and to this community,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said in a press release. “The generous ARPA funds have given us the opportunity to provide more to our people of Rome and Oneida County.”

Rome Health will name the suite in honor of the two physicians, who have served the community for more than 25 years.

“They raised their family here and have made a lifetime commitment to Rome Health,” President/CEO AnneMarie Walker-Czyz said. “We could not be more thankful for the service, generosity, and leadership both Dr. Desai and Dr. Giustra have shown to our community.”

Rome Health provides care for patients in every stage of life. It is an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Health and an affiliated clinical site of New York Medical College.