SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital 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®.

“Being named a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional patient experience,” according to DeAnn Thurmer, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo/SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital president. “This recognition is truly a testament to our incredible employees whose dedication, compassion, and expertise make outstanding care possible every day.”

The recognition highlights SSM Health’s commitment to quality health care, according to Nicole Gill, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital vice president clinical administrator.

“This honor highlights our ongoing focus on quality and continuous improvement,” Gill shares. “Health care is always changing, and our teams consistently rise to the challenge – adapting, innovating, and finding new ways to better serve our patients and community.”

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.

“The delivery of care within rural communities is perhaps more complex today than at any point in recent memory,” according to Michael Topchik, The Chartis Center for Rural Health executive director. “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. We’re delighted to recognize this year’s winners and celebrate their Top 100 status.”