Winona Health has earned national recognition as a 2026 America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award winner, placing its Emergency Care Department in the top 7% of 4,655 hospitals nationwide for timely and effective care.
This honor reflects our commitment to what matters most, providing timely, effective, and compassionate care to every patient. For over 130 years, the best possible care at Winona Health has happened as it always has—when we are there for each other in the moments that matter—through long shifts, late nights, and everyday emergencies that touch families across generations.
“This award speaks to what our team focuses on every single day,” said Andrew Teska, Director of Emergency Services at Winona Health. “When patients come through our doors, they’re often having one of the worst days of their lives. We don’t get second chances in those moments. Being fully present, moving quickly, and caring deeply—that’s what matters, and that’s what our community deserves.”
The Women’s Choice Award is especially meaningful because it is based on patient satisfaction and publicly reported performance measures. Only hospitals that meet strict clinical criteria and earn high levels of patient recommendation are eligible, making this recognition a reflection of both quality care and community trust.
At Winona Health, timely and effective care is not measured only by minutes and metrics, but by compassion, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to serve. The Emergency Care Department is staffed 24 hours a day by dedicated physicians, associate providers, registered nurses, and support staff, with specialty physicians on call to respond as needed. Patients of all ages are cared for, and no one is denied treatment.
“What makes this recognition so special is that it honors the people behind the care,” said Kara Bayer, Associate Vice President of Hospital Services. “Every caregiver, from our physicians and associate providers to our registered nurses and support staff, plays a role in ensuring our neighbors receive the care they need, when they need it most.”
By earning the Women’s Choice Award, Winona Health joins a national network of healthcare organizations committed to empowering women and families to make informed healthcare choices while remaining deeply connected to the communities they care for.
Winona Health is proud to share this recognition with our patients, families, caregivers, and neighbors who make up this community, because care has always been, and will always be, about being there for one another in the moments that matter.
For more information about Emergency Care at Winona Health and the Women’s Choice Award, visit winonahealth.org/emergencycare.
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