Avera Hospitals Named Among Top 100 Rural Facilities

Avera St. Anthony's and other Avera partner hospitals recognized for outstanding performance

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Several Avera hospitals, including Avera St. Anthony's in O'Neill, Nebraska, were named to the 2026 Top 100 lists for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural & Community Hospitals by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The awards program celebrates exceptional performance among the nation's rural hospitals.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights Avera's commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare in rural communities across its five-state region. Earning a spot on the prestigious Top 100 lists demonstrates Avera's focus on delivering leading-edge care, research, and top-tier quality to families in both urban and rural areas.

The details

Avera hospitals named among the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals include Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Lakes Regional Healthcare (an Avera partner) in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller, South Dakota, Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill, Nebraska, Pipestone County Medical Center (an Avera partner) in Pipestone, Minnesota, and Sioux Center Health (an Avera partner) in Sioux Center, Iowa were recognized as Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals.

  • The Chartis Center for Rural Health announced the 2026 Top 100 lists on February 24, 2026.

The players

Avera

A regional health system providing care across a five-state region, with a focus on delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare in rural communities.

Chartis Center for Rural Health

An organization that annually recognizes the top-performing rural hospitals in the United States through its Top 100 awards program.

Jim Dover

The President and CEO of Avera, who emphasized the organization's commitment to rural healthcare and providing leading-edge care to families across its service area.

Michael Topchik

The Executive Director of the Chartis Center for Rural Health, who praised the resilience, dedication, and innovation of this year's Top 100 Critical Access and Rural & Community Hospitals.

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What they’re saying

“Avera's commitment to rural health care is evident by the quality of care provided at Avera hospitals and Avera partner facilities. Providing high quality care close to home is grounded in our mission, going back to the Sisters who founded early hospitals in Dakota Territory.”

— Jim Dover, FACHE, Avera President and CEO (kbrx.com)

“Each year, Avera continues to have numerous facilities that earn the Top 100 distinctions. This consistency is a testament to our focus on delivering high quality care, ensuring access and keeping health care affordable. Having high quality care locally also strengthens communities and improves quality of life.”

— Jim Dover, FACHE, Avera President and CEO (kbrx.com)

“The delivery of care within rural communities is perhaps more complex today than at any point in recent memory. This year's Top 100 Critical Access and 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 of the Chartis Center for Rural Health (kbrx.com)

What’s next

Avera plans to continue investing in its rural healthcare facilities and partnerships to maintain its strong performance and recognition on the Chartis Center for Rural Health's Top 100 lists in the years to come.

The takeaway

Avera's consistent presence on the Top 100 lists for both Critical Access Hospitals and Rural & Community Hospitals demonstrates its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare to families in rural communities across its five-state region, even as the challenges of delivering care in these areas continue to evolve.