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Mercer Health recognized as

Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital in the Nation, Only Top 20 Hospital in Ohio

Mercer Health’s Mercer County Community Hospital was recently named one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). The NRHA ranking is based on an evaluation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health Performance INDEX, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. The determining factors for the top 20 rural and community hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance.

Over 800 hospitals in the United States are included in the rural and community hospitals category and the top 20 represent the top 2.5% of hospitals in the country. Mercer Health’s Mercer County Community Hospital is the only hospital in Ohio on the list. 

Mercer Health has been identified as a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital six times since the inception of the performance index in 2016, including the inception year of 2016 and again in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

Lisa Klenke, Mercer Health’s CEO, shares, “I am so proud of our Mercer Health family.  Each day our team is committed to achieving the very best outcomes for our patients and community. The recognition is appreciated, yet even more valued is the dedication of our healthcare team, medical staff, volunteers and other members of our local healthcare community. They carry out our mission and demonstrate the expertise and compassion that has resulted in our achieving this level of excellence.”

In a letter to the Mercer Health team, Klenke further expresses her heartfelt appreciation, “This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of each and every one of you. Your unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care, innovative solutions, and compassionate service has not gone unnoticed.  This recognition reflects the outstanding efforts and contributions of our entire team, from frontline providers and staff, to support personnel and leadership. Being named a Top 20 Hospital is a tremendous honor, but it comes with a responsibility to continue striving for excellence in everything we do. Thank you for your exceptional work, your passion for serving others, and your commitment to making Mercer Health a beacon of hope and healing in our community.”

An official recognition by the National Rural Healthcare Association will take place at its annual rural health conference in May.