Essentia Health-Moose Lake named to Becker’s “100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know” list

Essentia Health-Moose Lake has again been recognized as one of Becker's Hospital Review's "100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know" for 2026. This prestigious national list highlights outstanding critical access hospitals that deliver high-quality care in rural communities across the United States.

Essentia Health-Moose Lake, which also made the Becker’s list in 2024, provides essential medical services close to home for residents along Minnesota’s I-35 corridor and surrounding areas. The hospital offers a wide range of specialty care, including cardiology, family medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, infusion therapy, orthopedics, urology and more, ensuring patients do not have to travel long distances for advanced treatment. 

“Being named to Becker’s list of top critical access hospitals is a meaningful acknowledgment of our team’s dedication to rural healthcare,” said Sam Barney, administrator for Essentia Health-Moose Lake. “In rural communities like ours, access to quality healthcare can mean the difference between staying healthy at home or facing long travel for basic services. This recognition celebrates the extraordinary commitment of our physicians, nurses and support staff who deliver compassionate, expert care every day while overcoming the unique challenges of rural health delivery.”

Rural hospitals play a vital role in providing healthcare. They serve as lifelines for patients living in smaller communities, offering emergency care, preventive services, chronic disease management and specialty care that keep families rooted in their hometowns. Recognition on lists like Becker’s underscores the importance of these facilities in addressing healthcare disparities, supporting local economies and maintaining strong, resilient communities. 

At Essentia Health-Moose Lake, this achievement reflects years of investment in facility upgrades, advanced technologies and an intentional focus on patient-centered care.  

Critical access hospitals are those that have 25 inpatient beds or less and are located in rural areas.