Lafayette Hospital + Clinics today announced it has been recognized as a 2026 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 awards program celebrates outstanding performance annually among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.
“We are truly honored to receive this award again this year. For more than 73 years, our commitment to quality healthcare has been rooted in the vision and compassion of our community and the Franciscan Sisters who helped shape our foundation. While healthcare continues to evolve, one thing remains constant-our mission ‘To provide patient-centered, high-quality healthcare to the communities we serve.’ That promise guides every decision we make and every life we touch. This recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, caregivers, and staff who live our mission each day. Our LHC team matters and our facility matters.” Shared Marie Wamsley, CEO.
“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 Hospitals have emerged as true leaders – committed to their mission through a powerful combination of resilience, dedication and innovation,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director of The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to recognize this year’s winners and celebrate their Top 100 status.”
Now in its 16th year, 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, quality, patient perspective and finance.