WATERTOWN, S.D. – February 23, 2024 – Prairie Lakes Healthcare System (PLHS) has been recognized as a 2024 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™. PLHS has received this award every year since it was introduced in 2016.
“The designation of being a top rural and community hospital validates the exceptional care and commitment Prairie Lakes provides to the communities we serve,” said John Allen, Chief Executive Officer at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “Being one of six South Dakota hospitals to receive this award gives great perspective to the dedicated efforts our employees and medical staff deliver every day.”
“During an era of profound uncertainty for rural healthcare, the Top 100 rural hospitals continue to provide a unique lens through which we can identify innovation and inspiration for how to deliver high-quality care to increasingly vulnerable populations,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to be able to recognize all this year’s Top 100 but especially the more than 40 first-time recipients across both categories. It’s wonderful to see so many new facilities join the ranks of our Top 100 alumni.”
Now in its 14th year, the INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Featuring a methodology utilizing publicly available data, the INDEX is leveraged 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 Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Located in Watertown, S.D., Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is an independent healthcare organization that provides care for 90,000 people in a ten-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. The system is focused on meeting the needs of the region with a mission to make a positive difference in the health of the patients and communities they serve. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System offers close to 30 medical services/specialties with over 800 professionals, physicians, and caregivers on staff to serve their rural communities.