Orange City, Iowa — Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS) has once again earned national recognition for patient care, receiving the 2026 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience.
The honor places OCAHS among the top 100 hospitals nationwide within its size category and marks the 12th consecutive year the health system has received the designation.
In addition, Orange City Area Health System was also named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics, ranking in the top 1% of more than 4,600 U.S. hospitals that offer obstetric services.
According to the Women’s Choice Award, hospitals that prioritize patient experience help improve outcomes while building trust and long-term relationships with the communities they serve. The award also highlights the importance of quality obstetric care, noting that complications can arise unexpectedly during labor and delivery.
OCAHS CEO Marty Guthmiller says the recognitions reflect the culture and commitment of the organization’s staff. He says being recognized for patient experience for 12 straight years, along with earning the obstetrics honor for the second year in a row, is a testament to the care delivered every day across the health system.
The Women’s Choice Award is the only national designation that combines patient satisfaction data with clinical excellence. Its Patient Experience award uses Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey results along with research on women’s healthcare preferences, evaluating factors such as communication with nurses and doctors, responsiveness, cleanliness, quietness, and overall patient recommendations.
The obstetrics designation also considers patient safety scores, low rates of early elective deliveries, and Baby-Friendly USA designation standards.
The Women’s Choice Award notes that more than 80% of consumers would consider switching healthcare providers after a poor experience, and nearly 90% of women say they would travel farther for better patient care, making hospital quality and patient experience a key factor in healthcare decisions.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center)
KIWA Staff Stock Photo
