ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL RECEIVES REIMBURSEMENT FROM MARYLAND BROADBAND COOPERATIVE

(Maryland Broadband Cooperative presents a reimbursement check for $157,794 to Atlantic General Hospital as part of a federal program to offset high speed internet expenses for rural not-for-profit hospitals. From left: Megan Speake, MdBC impact analyst; Drew Van Dopp, MdBC president and CEO; Jonathan Bauer, AGH vice president of information services; Jeremey Sweeney, AGH IT manager; Don Owrey, AGH president and CEO; Toni Keiser, AGH vice president of public relations)

Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) has received $157,794 in reimbursement from a special fund administered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that allows not-for-profit healthcare organizations serving rural areas to apply for a discount on eligible broadband internet services.

This rebate helps offset the costs AGH incurs to secure high-speed internet services through the Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MdBC). These services are essential for the fast and secure exchange of patient records—crucial for making timely, informed healthcare decisions. Additionally, the rebate enables AGH to expand high-speed access to underserved areas, ensuring residents receive the quality care they deserve. To date, AGH has received nearly $500,000 from the Rural Healthcare Fund, supporting continued reinvestment in vital IT infrastructure.

Telecommunications service providers across the U.S. – like those who are members of MdBC – pay into the fund to support rural healthcare facilities in bringing world-class healthcare to their patients and families through increased connectivity.

“Connecting communities to world-class healthcare is a core part of our mission. This reimbursement reflects the essential role that broadband plays in ensuring healthcare providers like Atlantic General Hospital have the robust, reliable connections needed to deliver critical care and innovative telehealth services to their patients,” said Drew Van Dopp, president & CEO of MdBC.

 “The cost of providing safe, high quality care in the current environment only continues to increase. We cannot overstate the importance of the Rural Healthcare Fund, which helps make broadband internet service more affordable, ultimately reducing the cost of patient care,” said Jonathan Bauer, AGH vice president of information services.

Atlantic General Hospital worked with Network Better, a network and telecommunications professional management company, to identify and successfully apply for the Rural Healthcare Fund dollars. 

A Brief History of Rural Broadband on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

MdBC began the process to construct fiber-optic backbones in strategic locations across the Eastern Shore in 2007 through the support of the Tri-Council of the Lower Eastern Shore in conjunction with the Mid-Shore Regional Council. The first to be completed was on Rt. 113, from Pocomoke to Berlin, and continuing to the Delaware border.

Installing broadband fiber in Worcester County allowed AGH to implement its first electronic medical records system in the provider practices in 2008 and execute subsequent upgrades connecting all of its facilities, which requires the secure exchange of large amounts of data at high speeds to function properly.

MdBC has provided both lit services and dark fiber (fiber-optic infrastructure not yet in use) to AGH, which allows for the expansion of existing services and telehealth opportunities.