Cox Barton County Hospital recognized among nation's Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for overall excellence

Cox Barton County Hospital has earned national distinction as one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the nation for overall performance, the highest recognition awarded. This honor highlights the hospital’s commitment to exceptional patient experience, operational excellence, and high-quality care. 

Selection as a Top 20 CAH is based on comprehensive evaluations conducted by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, which measures hospitals’ performance across multiple key indicators. The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) recently announced these rankings, highlighting the hospital’s exemplary achievements compared to its peers nationwide. 

Cox Barton is one of only three critical access hospitals in Missouri recognized for overall performance. The honor reflects sustained excellence, with the hospital also earning Top 20 Best Practice recognition for quality in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This marks the first time Cox Barton has received national recognition for overall performance. 

“Being named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation is a testament to the dedication of our team, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding care,” says Andrea McKay, president of Cox Barton County Hospital. “Serving Barton County and our neighboring communities is both an honor and a responsibility, and this award further solidifies our reputation for excellence in rural health care.” 

Critical Access Hospitals are the cornerstone of health care in rural communities, ensuring residents have access to high-quality medical services. Cox Barton remains at the forefront by strategically investing in advanced services, cutting-edge technology, and expert providers and staff to anticipate and meet its patients’ changing needs.  

“This achievement highlights our commitment to excellence in health care, including delivering timely, high-quality stroke care close to home,” says McKay. “We are here when every moment matters.” 

The NRHA will formally recognize this accomplishment during an awards ceremony at the Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, providing a fitting stage to honor Cox Barton’s outstanding achievement. 

The full list of winners is available at this link.