Bothwell earns 2025 Performance Leadership Award
As part of National Rural Health Day, Bothwell Regional Health Center has earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in outcomes from The Chartis Center for Rural Health, a national organization that evaluates rural hospital performance.
The Performance Leadership Awards recognize rural hospitals nationwide that rank in the top quartile, or top 25 percent, in three key areas of care: quality, outcomes and patient perspective. Bothwell received recognition in the outcomes category for strong performance on measures such as reducing hospital readmissions and mortality, which reflect how patients are doing after they leave the hospital and return home.
“Being recognized for our outcomes is meaningful because it focuses on what matters most – people getting better and staying better,” said Lori Wightman, Bothwell Regional Health Center CEO. “This award reflects the daily work of our physicians, nurses and staff to deliver safe, reliable care close to home and is a testament to the strong primary care provider presence we have that supports patients in and out of the hospital. It also belongs to our patients and families who partner with us in follow-up care, medication management and healthy lifestyle choices.”
The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework that looks at how rural hospitals are performing.
“The areas of quality, outcomes and patient perspective are cornerstones of health care delivery across rural America, and this year’s Performance Leadership Award recipients are establishing a standard of excellence for their rural peers to follow,” said Michael Topchik, Chartis Center for Rural Health executive director.
National Rural Health Day is observed each November to recognize the unique health care challenges faced by people who live in rural communities and to highlight the essential role of rural hospitals and clinics. Bothwell’s recognition in outcomes underscores its ongoing work to reduce avoidable readmissions, improve survival rates, coordinate follow-up care and support patients in managing chronic conditions.