Spirit Lake, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake is celebrating a major milestone today.

For the eighth consecutive year, the facility has been named one of the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States. The ranking comes from the Chartis Center for Rural Health, which uses the “Hospital Strength INDEX” to objectively assess performance and finance across the country.

Lakes Regional President and CEO Jason Harrington credited the achievement to his team’s “high quality, compassionate care,” noting that while they don’t do the work for the recognition, it is rewarding to see their efforts honored.

Chartis Executive Director Michael Topchik praised this year’s winners as leaders who have shown incredible resilience and innovation in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.