Two nationally known organizations have named Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin in the top 100 rural and community hospitals nationwide.

Hospitals named to the list by iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health are recognized as top performers in managing risk, achieving higher quality, securing better outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction and operating at a lower cost than their peers, according to a news release.

“This award is a tribute to the excellent care and service our employees provide daily,” said Mark Ciota, CEO at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “Receiving this national designation reaffirms the value our efforts bring to our patients and our commitment to providing the best care possible, close to home.”

The release of the 2017 Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals list expands on research presented as part of the 2017 “Rural Relevance Study: Vulnerability to Value” from The Chartis Group. The study provides a comprehensive look into the challenges facing rural hospitals.

“Measuring performance is central to improving the quality of health care and the performance of these top hospitals shows that, while greatly challenged, health leaders in rural can excel in the transition from volume to value,” said Michael Topchik, national leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health, in a news release. “In fact, our research shows that these practice leaders share key attributes that dovetail with the CMS-driven shift to value, showing that rural hospitals can offer the best quality care at the lowest cost.”

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin is one of four Minnesota hospitals to be recognized. Other Minnesota hospitals on the list include District One Hospital in Faribault, Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls and Winona Health Services.