HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 100 Critical Access Hospitals to Know
June 15, 2026
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.
###
About HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded in 1875. Dedicated to our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through high-quality Franciscan health care, HSHS clinicians provide exceptional care centered on the whole person. Based in Springfield, Illinois, HSHS colleagues provide care in 13 acute-care, children’s and critical access hospitals and home health and hospice programs in Central and Southern Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin. HSHS is aligned with primary and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners through its owned affiliates HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular, its partnership with Prevea Health, and with many other providers serving on medical staffs. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.
About Becker's Healthcare
Becker's Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker's Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.
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.
###
About HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded in 1875. Dedicated to our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through high-quality Franciscan health care, HSHS clinicians provide exceptional care centered on the whole person. Based in Springfield, Illinois, HSHS colleagues provide care in 13 acute-care, children’s and critical access hospitals and home health and hospice programs in Central and Southern Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin. HSHS is aligned with primary and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners through its owned affiliates HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular, its partnership with Prevea Health, and with many other providers serving on medical staffs. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.
About Becker's Healthcare
Becker's Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker's Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.
Media Contact
Angela Deja
Director, Public Relations and Communications