Sutter Amador Among Nation’s Top Rural Hospitals for Sixth Consecutive Year

JACKSON, Calif. - Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson, which is about 50 miles southeast of Sacramento, is announcing its recognition as a 2026 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 awards program celebrates outstanding performance annually among the nation's rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.

The 52-bed community-based, not-for-profit hospital serves a population of more than 40,000 in California's Gold Country. It is the sixth year in a row that Sutter Amador has been named to The Chartis Center's prestigious list.

"Sutter Amador Hospital is the heartbeat of the community we serve. As a rural hospital, our role is both vital and deeply personal: meeting our community's needs with compassion, innovation and excellence," said Jim Bradley, CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital. "Being recognized by Chartis as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital for the sixth consecutive year is a meaningful affirmation of the extraordinary work our teams do every day."

Sutter Amador continues to earn recognition as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by consistently evolving to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. Over the past year, the hospital has strengthened partnerships with local schools to provide early exposure and career pathways for those interested in working at Sutter Amador. The organization has also deepened employee engagement by encouraging caregivers to bring forward ideas that improve hospital processes and patient care.

In addition, Sutter Amador launched a referral-based Health & Wellness program that connects patients to flexible, voluntary support tailored to their individual needs. The hospital has also expanded both inpatient and outpatient dialysis services, helping patients receive care close to home while reducing the need for higher-level transfers outside the community. Together, these efforts reflect Sutter Amador Hospital's continued focus on delivering exceptional care and keeping a positive patient experience at the forefront.

"Our caregivers bring solutions, collaboration and positive energy to everything they do, caring for one another and for our patients," said Bradley. "This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, comprehensive care that strengthens the health and well-being of our unique community."

"The delivery of care within rural communities is perhaps more complex today than at any point in recent memory. This year's Top 100 Rural & Community 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.

Sutter Amador provides comprehensive services, including 24-hour emergency care, critical and intensive care, diagnostic imaging, a family birth center, surgery, orthopedics, an infusion center and laboratory services. However, there are some advanced services that are only available at larger medical centers, and Sutter Amador's alignment with specialty services at Sutter facilities in Sacramento, Modesto and throughout Northern California give patients access to the advanced care they may need.

Visit www.SutterHealth.org to learn more about Sutter Amador Hospital.