OCONTO FALLS, Wis. — HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls was recently recognized on the 2026 “100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know” list by Becker’s Hospital Review.
Critical access hospitals are healthcare institutions that stand as essential pillars of care in the most remote parts of the country. Offering round-the-clock emergency services with no more than 25 inpatient beds, these institutions are small by definition; however, their impact is vast, bringing quality health care directly to communities that need it most.
Each of the hospitals on the list are expanding service lines and embracing technological innovation to reduce how far patients must travel to receive both general and specialty care, continually redefining what’s possible within the critical access model.
“We believe that living in a smaller community shouldn’t mean compromising on access to excellent clinical care,” said Colleen Koski, Chief Administrative Officer of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital. “This honor is a testament to our team’s commitment to keeping our neighbors healthy and close to home.”
As one of Wisconsin’s federally designated critical access hospitals, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is a beacon of care in Oconto Falls. Since joining Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) in 2014, the hospital has grown and expanded its services to provide more options for inpatient, outpatient and transitional care.
These services include but aren’t limited to: 24/7 care for medical emergencies and severe illnesses, advanced technology with experienced surgeons, an advanced laboratory, cancer treatment center, medical imaging technology, and a Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center — the only advanced wound center with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber north of Green Bay and south of Iron Mountain.
Also recognized on this list from Hospital Sisters Health System was HSHS St. Francis Hospital, a critical access hospital in Litchfield, IL. The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations and curated the list to highlight the great work of critical access hospitals across the nation.
For more information about HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, visit https://www.hshs.org/st-clare
Note: Becker’s Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Organizations do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the organizations mentioned. Organizations are presented in alphabetical order.
