HSHS St. Francis Hospital Named to Becker's List
May 27, 2026
HSHS St. Francis Hospital was recently recognized on Becker's Hospital Review’s 2026 iteration of its annual "Critical access hospitals to know" list.
In the most remote parts of the country, critical access hospitals stand as essential pillars of care. Though they are small by definition, their reach is profound. Offering round-the-clock emergency services with no more than 25 inpatient beds, these institutions are purpose-built to bring quality health care directly to communities that need it most.
The hospitals on this list are expanding service lines and embracing technological innovation to meaningfully reduce how far patients must travel to receive both general and specialty care, continually redefining what's possible within the critical access model.
Aryn Hunter, Chief Administration Officer, said, “As a critical access hospital, we may be small, but we are mighty in our commitment to quality health care close to home. This recognition represents the exceptional work being done by all the colleagues and medical staff at St. Francis Hospital, fulfilling their calling with compassion and dedication. We have served the community for 150 years and I am so proud of our team for continuing that Mission today.”
HSHS St. Francis offers a full range of health care services and specialties so area residents have close access to exceptional, compassionate treatment. Through its Family Maternity Center, St. Francis is the only hospital providing maternity services in a two-county area of Macoupin and Montgomery counties. The hospital provides access to top cardiologists through its partnership with Prairie Cardiovascular, with innovative treatments offered at sister hospital HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. With St. Francis’ new Cancer Care Center expansion doubling the number of treatment bays, those needing chemotherapy and other outpatient infusion services can have care close to home.
St. Francis Hospital is also dedicated to supporting the community, demonstrated through the hospital’s St. Clare Food Pantry and providing a location on the hospital campus for the St. Francis Way Clinic operated by the Macoupin County Public Health Department, offering much needed behavioral health services.
Also recognized on this list from Hospital Sisters Health System was HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. 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.
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.
In the most remote parts of the country, critical access hospitals stand as essential pillars of care. Though they are small by definition, their reach is profound. Offering round-the-clock emergency services with no more than 25 inpatient beds, these institutions are purpose-built to bring quality health care directly to communities that need it most.
The hospitals on this list are expanding service lines and embracing technological innovation to meaningfully reduce how far patients must travel to receive both general and specialty care, continually redefining what's possible within the critical access model.
Aryn Hunter, Chief Administration Officer, said, “As a critical access hospital, we may be small, but we are mighty in our commitment to quality health care close to home. This recognition represents the exceptional work being done by all the colleagues and medical staff at St. Francis Hospital, fulfilling their calling with compassion and dedication. We have served the community for 150 years and I am so proud of our team for continuing that Mission today.”
HSHS St. Francis offers a full range of health care services and specialties so area residents have close access to exceptional, compassionate treatment. Through its Family Maternity Center, St. Francis is the only hospital providing maternity services in a two-county area of Macoupin and Montgomery counties. The hospital provides access to top cardiologists through its partnership with Prairie Cardiovascular, with innovative treatments offered at sister hospital HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. With St. Francis’ new Cancer Care Center expansion doubling the number of treatment bays, those needing chemotherapy and other outpatient infusion services can have care close to home.
St. Francis Hospital is also dedicated to supporting the community, demonstrated through the hospital’s St. Clare Food Pantry and providing a location on the hospital campus for the St. Francis Way Clinic operated by the Macoupin County Public Health Department, offering much needed behavioral health services.
Also recognized on this list from Hospital Sisters Health System was HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. 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.
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.
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