UnityPoint Health Hospitals Recognized as 2026 Top 100 Critical Access and Rural and Community Hospitals

Six UnityPoint Health affiliated hospitals in Iowa have been recognized as 2026 Top 100 Critical Access and Rural and Community Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program recognizes outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.

The UnityPoint Health affiliated Critical Access Hospitals recognized include:

• UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center (Anamosa)
• UnityPoint Health - Grundy County Memorial Hospital (Grundy Center)
• Humboldt County Memorial Hospital (Humboldt)
• Loring Hospital (Sac City)
• Virginia Gay Hospital (Vinton)

“Earning a place among the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for the tenth time is an incredible testament to the dedication of our Jones Regional Medical Center team,” said Eric Briesemeister, Jones Regional Medical Center CEO. “Their commitment to delivering high quality, compassionate care in Jones County is what makes this recognition possible. We are proud of their excellence and grateful for the trust our patients place in us every day.”

The UnityPoint Health affiliated Rural & Community Hospital recognized was UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center (Grinnell, IA).

“At a time when rural healthcare faces significant challenges, this recognition highlights the dedication of our team to delivering high-quality care close to home,” says David-Paul Cavazos, president of UnityPoint Health - Grinnell. “We remain focused on finding innovative ways to serve our communities and ensure patients continue to receive the care they need.”

Now in its sixteenth 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.