Knoxville Hospital & Clinics earns prestigious 5-Star Rating from the National Rural Rating System

Knoxville, Iowa – Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing dedication and excellence in rural health care, as well as being named to the National Rural Honor Roll.

This esteemed designation is a testament to the dedication of the KHC providers and staff who provide high-quality care and exceptional patient experiences. The NRRS evaluates hospitals based on rigorous standards, including patient satisfaction, quality of care, and overall hospital performance.

“Receiving this award is not only a great honor for us, but it also highlights the important role that we play in the health and wellbeing of our patients and community,” said Kevin Kincaid, KHC CEO. “Each day our health care team is committed to providing exceptional, high-quality care to those who need it most, and we are grateful for this recognition of our efforts.”

The 5-star rating reflects KHC’s ongoing commitment to meet the unique health care needs of the rural community it serves. This recognition highlights the hospital’s success in providing outstanding medical services, despite the challenges often faced by rural health care facilities.

The 2025 National Rural Honor Roll honorees, announced each November, include rural hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient experience, based on cumulative ratings submitted by October 31, 2024. This annual recognition reinforces NRHA’s commitment to supporting and uplifting rural health care facilities as pillars of their communities.

“These awards really shine a spotlight on the heart and hard work that our rural hospitals bring to their communities,” says Brock Slabach, COO of the National Rural Health Association. “Rural health care comes with unique challenges, and reaching this level of excellence shows not only the clinical expertise but also the deep commitment these hospitals have to the people they serve. This recognition celebrates rural health care as a source of strength, compassion, and healing—right where it’s needed most.”

The 5 Star Rating System ranks rural and critical access hospitals – with five stars being the top ranking and one star being the lowest. The Star Ratings are like the CMS Stars, which allow hospitals/clinics to promote their success and are used as high-quality recognitions. Most small and rural hospitals (60%) do not qualify because of the low number of qualifying inpatients for the CMS Rankings but are held to the same high patient satisfaction criteria. This program recognizes the hard work, and dedication rural and critical access hospitals provide across the country. The rankings will include overnight hospital stays (HCAHPS) and are based on data collected by certified CMS patient satisfaction vendors.

The National Rural Honor Roll was created to honor rural and critical access hospitals and clinics that consistently deliver exceptional health care, showcasing them as leaders in patient-centered care within their communities. Facilities included in the Honor Roll receive recognition for their dedication and excellence that sets them apart, demonstrating their commitment to patient well-being.

For more information visit RuralRatings.US.

Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, KHC’s highly skilled medical staff and specialists provide personal, compassionate, and innovative quality health care to patients. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call Public Relations at (641) 842-1418.