Essentia Health earns 2025 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition, advancing rural care innovation

Essentia Health is being honored for a commitment to improving health care, especially in rural areas, through creative use of technology. Essentia has been named a 2025 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired organization, a prestigious accolade from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). It places Essentia among an elite group of health care leaders achieving Level 9 status – one of the highest benchmarks for effective use of technology.

The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey evaluates organizations on their adoption of advanced technologies, including cybersecurity, data analytics, interoperability and population health management. For Essentia, this recognition underscores a years-long commitment to harnessing digital tools to deliver equitable care, particularly in rural and underserved regions where geographic barriers often limit access to specialized services.

"This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to compassionate care and our dedication to the communities we are privileged to serve," said Chuck Watson, chief information officer at Essentia. "In rural America, where every mile matters, our digital advancements ensure that innovative, high-quality health solutions reach those who need them most, proving that technology can bridge gaps and build healthier futures."

Essentia operates in some of the most remote areas of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, where high-speed internet limitations, provider shortages and vast distances between facilities pose unique challenges. Yet, Essentia’s robust digital infrastructure has transformed these obstacles into opportunities. Through initiatives like remote patient monitoring (RPM) and telehealth expansions, the organization enables real-time health management for patients in rural communities. For instance, RPM programs have allowed thousands of rural residents to recover at home post-surgery, reducing hospital readmissions and empowering patients with care updates and information via mobile apps like MyChart.

In an era where rural health disparities persist, Essentia's model offers a blueprint for innovation. It also aligns with the health system’s ongoing efforts to ensure high-quality care is accessible for everyone, regardless of where they live.