Gothenburg Health earned the No. 9 overall ranking on Modern Healthcare's 2026 Best Places to Work list and was named the nation's top healthcare organization for community impact when rankings were announced Sept. 16.

The recognition marks the third consecutive year Gothenburg Health has appeared on the national Best Places to Work list. While the Top 10 ranking reflects the organization's strong workplace culture and employee engagement, the No. 1 Community ranking highlights a commitment to serving the region that extends far beyond patient care.

The annual Best Places to Work program recognizes healthcare organizations that excel in workplace culture, employee engagement, leadership, and overall employee satisfaction. Rankings are determined through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by Workforce Research Group. Twenty percent of an organization's score comes from an employer assessment, while the remaining 80 percent is based on confidential employee feedback surveys, making the recognition a direct reflection of employee experiences.

The Community Award specifically honors organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to public service through volunteerism, charitable initiatives, community partnerships, and service-focused programs. For Gothenburg Health, earning the No. 1 Community ranking nationwide speaks to a culture that extends well beyond healthcare delivery.

Across the region, Gothenburg Health employees serve as coaches for youth sports teams, mentors for students, volunteers for community organizations, and advocates for local initiatives. Their involvement helps strengthen the fabric of the communities they serve while reinforcing the organization's mission of improving quality of life.

That commitment to community also influenced one of Gothenburg Health's most transformative decisions in recent years.

More than a decade ago, leadership conducted a community needs assessment while planning a facility remodel. The results revealed that residents wanted greater access to fitness opportunities and preventive wellness resources. Hospital leaders faced a decision: continue operating solely as a traditional rural hospital or invest in resources that would help people stay healthy long before they needed medical care.

They chose the latter.

The result was the creation of a YMCA inside the Gothenburg Health facility, an innovative partnership that has changed the way many residents interact with the hospital.

In a recent interview published by Modern Healthcare, CEO Andrew Knust acknowledged that the decision was not driven by financial considerations.

"Financially, the project didn't make sense. From a patient care standpoint, it absolutely did," Knust said.

Today, community members visit the facility for much more than medical appointments. They come to exercise, connect with friends, participate in wellness programs, enjoy lunch, and continue healthy habits after completing cardiac rehabilitation or physical therapy. The facility has become a place where wellness is promoted every day, not just when someone becomes ill.

"People come to the hospital not only when they're sick, but when they're trying to stay healthy," Knust said.

Knust believes community engagement and investment create stronger connections between employees, patients, and the communities they serve. When employees see the direct impact their work has on their friends, neighbors, and families, it strengthens both workplace culture and organizational purpose.

"This really isn't just our hospital's success story," Knust said. "It's Gothenburg's success story because we couldn't have done it alone."

While a third consecutive appearance on the Best Places to Work list and a top-10 national ranking are accomplishments worth celebrating, being named the No. 1 healthcare organization in the nation for community impact may be the honor that best reflects who Gothenburg Health is. It is a recognition of employees, volunteers, partners, and community members who work together every day to create a healthier, stronger future for the region.

For Gothenburg Health, this award is more than a ranking. It's a reflection of the community-first approach that continues to define the organization and the people it serves.