HANCOCK COUNTY – Hancock County Health System (HCHS) recently announced it has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the nation,” HCHS CEO Laura Zwiefel said. “Thank you to our amazing providers, board members, staff, patients, and community for your continuous support. We remain committed to delivering high-quality care to our patients. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on health care in Hancock County and beyond.”
“The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This is our 15th year recognizing the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”
HCHS has previously been recognized by Chartis, including:
- In 2024, HCHS earned the title of top performer in the areas of Patient Perspective and Quality.
- In 2022, HCHS was recognized in the areas of Quality and Outcomes.
The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
About HCHS
HCHS is a Critical Access hospital with four primary care clinics, Community Health (Public Health), and A Rehabilitation Facility in Garner providing high quality care in a rural setting. This hometown care includes the full continuum of primary health care…from health promotion to end of life care.