Ochsner St. Anne named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health

RACELAND, La. – Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm, has named Ochsner St. Anne Hospital a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital for 2026. Ochsner St. Anne is one of only three facilities in Louisiana included in the national list, and the only consecutive winner in the state. 

“We are honored that Chartis has recognized Ochsner St. Anne as one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals,” said Sheri Eschete, COO, Ochsner St. Anne. “This recognition is a testament to our incredible team of physicians, nurses and staff who consistently put our patients and community first, but also reinforces the high level of performance and quality care that Ochsner St. Anne delivers every day. We are proud to be a trusted source of care for our region.” 

Located in Raceland, La., Ochsner St. Anne provides essential healthcare services to Lafourche Parish and the surrounding areas. It meets the designation of a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and created by Congress in 1997. The CAH designation aims to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by maintaining essential services in rural communities. 

“The delivery of care within rural communities is perhaps more complex today than at any point in recent memory. This year’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals have emerged as true leaders – committed to their mission through a powerful combination of resilience, dedication and innovation,” said Michael Topchik, executive director of The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to recognize this year’s winners and celebrate their Top 100 status.” 

Now in its 16th year, the INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations, quality, patient perspective and finance. 

Ochsner St. Anne is an award-winning, fully accredited, full-service critical access hospital located in Raceland, La. The hospital offers a wide range of lifesaving services, including a 24-hour emergency room and stroke care. It also provides multiple surgical specialties, such as general surgery, pain management, cardiology, gynecology, orthopedics and gastroenterology. Additional services include state-of-the-art maternity suites, behavioral health services, full lab and imaging services, an infusion center, a sleep center and a wound care center. Ochsner St. Anne is committed to delivering exceptional care to Lafourche Parish and the surrounding areas. Learn more at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital | Ochsner Health. 

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