Chartis Announces Top 100 Critical Access and Rural Hospitals for 2026

Annual awards program recognizes outstanding performance among nation's rural hospitals.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm, has announced the 2026 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and the 2026 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals. The annual awards program, based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, recognizes exceptional performance among rural hospitals across the country.

Why it matters

Rural healthcare delivery is increasingly complex, and this year's Top 100 winners have demonstrated resilience, dedication, and innovation in serving their communities. The awards highlight the vital role these hospitals play in providing accessible, quality care in rural areas.

The details

The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals list includes 16 first-time recipients and 15 facilities recognized 10 or more times. Iowa and Kansas each have 12 Critical Access Hospitals in the Top 100. The Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals list features 14 first-time honorees and 21 hospitals named to the list 10 or more times. Michigan and Minnesota each have 7 hospitals in the Top 100 Rural & Community category.

  • The 2026 Top 100 awards were announced on February 11, 2026.

The players

Chartis

A leading healthcare advisory firm that announced the 2026 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals awards.

Michael Topchik

Executive Director of The Chartis Center for Rural Health, which oversees the annual awards program.

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What they’re saying

“The delivery of care within rural communities is more complex today than at any point in recent memory. This year's Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals have emerged as true leaders—committed to their mission through a powerful combination of resilience, dedication, and innovation.”

— Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health (BusinessWire)

What’s next

The full lists of this year's Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals award winners can be found on the Chartis website.

The takeaway

The Chartis awards recognize the vital role rural hospitals play in providing accessible, quality healthcare to their communities, even as the challenges facing rural healthcare continue to grow. The Top 100 winners demonstrate the resilience, innovation, and commitment needed to serve rural populations effectively.