Awards & Accolades

Brookings Health System and it's entities are often recognized for delivering high-quality care to our local community. The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home's reputation is built upon the 5-star quality rating, signaling its outstanding care to residents. Brookings Hospital embraces innovation, implementing both robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted surgical procedures as well as holding the Baby-Friendly designation for implementing the policies and procedures to support mothers and babies with breastfeeding.

Top 20 Rural Community Hospital

Top 20 Rural & Community Hospital BadgeMarch 2024, Brookings Health System was named one of the Top 20 Rural Community Hospitals in the U.S. by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for the seventh time in eight years. The health system ranked in the top one percent among peer rural and community hospitals across the nation on the winter 2024 Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the tool used to recognize the Top 20. Brookings Health System also received the award in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The honor was established in 2016.

One of Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals

February 2024, Brookings Health System was named to Newsweek's list of World Best Hospitals for the fourth consecutive year. Brookings Health ranked 189 of the Best Hospitals 2024 in the United States, up 40 spots from the previous year's ranking. Rankings are developed by Newsweek and Statista Inc. using hospital recommendations from peers; patient experience; and medical key performance indicators like patient safety, hygiene measures, and quality of treatment. 

Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital  

In February 2024, Brookings Health System was named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. It was the ninth time Brookings Health System was named to the list since the recognition's inception in 2016.

Brookings Health System scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®. Overall, the health system placed in the top one percent of all rural and community hospitals in the United States. The INDEX comprehensively measures rural providers across eight pillars of hospital strength: Inpatient Share Ranking, Outpatient Share Ranking, Cost, Charge, Quality, Outcomes, Patient Perspectives, and Financial Stability.

Birthing-Friendly Designation

Birthing-Friendly iconNovember 2023, Brookings Health System was bestowed an inaugural Birthing-Friendly designation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS). CMS created the new designation to identify hospitals and health systems who participate in a statewide or national perinatal quality improvement collaborative program and implement evidence-based quality care to improve maternal health. The Care Compare website now includes a pink mother-and-baby icon for hospitals and health systems who have earned the designation.

Performance Leadership Award

In November 2023, Brookings Health System was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award, sweeping all three categories - quality, outcomes and patient perspective - for the second year in a row. The rankings for the Performance Leadership Awards are determined each year using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Brookings Health System also received the award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Rated 5-Stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS 5-Star BadgeJuly 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave Brookings Hospital its first overall five-star rating, the highest score possible for all hospitals nationwide. CMS's overall star rating for hospitals summarizes quality information on five publicly-reported measure groups: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care.

Since 2013, The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home has consistently earned a five-star rating from CMS. CMS's overall star rating for nursing homes is based on health inspections, quality measures and staffing. 

CMS publishes data on the Care Compare website to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families make informed decisions about where to seek health care. 

da Vinci® Robotic Surgery

October 2021, Brookings Health System upgraded to the latest version of the da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical platform, the da Vinci Xi system. 

February 2013, Brookings Health System added a new da Vinci robotic surgical system to the operating room, becoming the third health care provider in South Dakota to actively offer advanced robotic surgical technology. Learn more

IBCLC Care Award

In August 2021, Brookings Health System was the only organization in South Dakota to be recognized by The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) for excellence in lactation care. Brookings Health System received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. Brookings Health System also received the award in 2019.

Brookings Health System Designated Baby-Friendly Hospital

Baby-Friendly Hospital badgeOctober 2015, Brookings Health System became the first non-Indian Health Services hospital in South Dakota to receive the Baby-Friendly® Hospital designation and the only one in a 180 mile radius, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to helping mothers successfully breastfeed their infants. Brookings Health was re-designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital in July 2020.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) program that encourages and recognizes hospitals that promote and support breastfeeding. This includes hospital policies, practices, and staff, physician, and community education.

To achieve Baby-Friendly designation, Brookings Health System implemented policies following the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding for Hospitals and Birth Centers as outlined by UNICEF and WHO.

100 Great Community Hospitals

100 Great Community Hospitals badgeIn 2018, Brookings Health System was named to the “100 Great Community Hospitals” list by Becker’s Hospital Review. Becker's editorial team selected hospitals from across the country for inclusion on its "100 Great Community Hospitals" list based on analysis of key awards, rankings and certifications in addition to the hospital's reputation for leadership and innovation. Brookings Health System also received the honor in 2016 and 2017.

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery

In 2018, Brookings Health System became the second facility in South Dakota to offer Mako robotic-arm assisted orthopedic surgery. Learn more

One of America's Best Hospitals for Emergency Care

In 2017, Brookings Health System’s hospital was named by WomenCertified, Inc, home of the Women’s Choice Award, for the third consecutive year as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care. Brookings Health System was also honored with the same recognition in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Selection for the honor was based on the seven core measures of emergency care as rated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including how quickly patients are seen by a care provider and how much time they spend in the emergency deparment.

Above & Beyond Award

June 2016, Brookings Health received the Above and Beyond Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), part of the Department of Defense. The Above and Beyond Award is presented by ESGR state committees to recognize employers at the local level who have surpassed the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by providing their guard and reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits. The award is given in limited numbers by state committees to employers who have signed or agree to sign a statement of support and who have at least one of their supervisors or managers recognized with a Patriot Award.

One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience

In 2016, Brookings Health System was recognized by WomenCertified, Inc., home of the Women's Choice Award, as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience. Brookings Health System was also honored with the same recognition in 2014.

The Women’s Choice Award is based on a variety of survey results analyzing important criteria such as communication with doctors and room cleanliness. The award recognizes the important factors that play a role in a woman’s choice of hospital including communication with nurses and noise level in the rooms.

Brookings Health Earns Path to Excellence Award

Path to Excellence Award badgeNational Research Corporation selected Brookings Health System as a recipient of its 2015 Path to Excellence award. Brookings Health System was recognized at the 21st Annual NRC Picker Patient-Centered Symposium in Washington, D.C. Fall 2015.

National Research selected Path to Excellence award recipients based on how successfully the recipients deliver quality care according to what patients identified as most important to them. The award is only bestowed upon those organizations that are ranked by patients as being a top performer. Brookings Health System was selected as a Patient-Centered Care Champion in the Information and Education Dimension of adult inpatient hospitals.

Brookings Health System Named 2015 HEALTHSTRONG Hospital

Healthstrong Hospital badgeMarch 2015, Brookings Health System was named as one of the nation’s HEALTHSTRONG Hospitals by iVantage Health Analytics.

The study and announcement of the 2015 HEALTHSTRONG Hospitals, including Brookings Health System, highlights top performing hospitals as determined through the Hospital Strength INDEX™. The annual INDEX study is the industry’s most comprehensive rating system of hospitals. The results recognize the top performing hospitals, measuring them across 62 different performance metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient perspective, affordability and efficiency.

Patriotic Employer Award

June 2013, Brookings Health System and The Neighborhoods at Brookview coordinator Heidi Henderschiedt received the Patriotic Employer award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), part of the Department of Defense. Certified Nursing Assistant Sandra Sprecher nominated Henderschiedt and Brookings Health for when she was deployed in 2011 to Afghanistan with the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota National Guard.

February 2012, Brookings Health System and Imaging Department Manager Tim Watson received the Patriotic Employer award in recognition of Watson’s and Brookings Health System’s continuing support of employees who serve in the National Guard and National Reserve, specifically granting leave on a short notice to Radiologic Technologist Ryan Sattler who was deployed with the 153rd HHC Engineer Battalion to assist in the 2011 Missouri River Flood.

We Honor Veterans 

We Honor Veterans badgeJanuary 2011, Brookings Health System’s hospice started the orientation process for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) We Honor Veterans program. The program teaches respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement to comfort patients with a history of military service and possible physical or psychological trauma. It also provides practical resources, including downloadable forms and descriptions of veteran benefits. 

In October 2011, Brookings Health System achieved Level One recognition in the program. To achieve that status, Brookings Health System’s hospice provided veteran-centric education to staff and volunteers and identified patients with military experience.

In September 2013, Brookings Health System achieved Level Two status. To achieve Level Two, Brookings Health System's hospice conducted veteran-specific presentations for staff and veteran organizations, integrated Veteran-specific content into orientation materials, processes and procedures for staff and volunteers, and established relationships with Veteran Affairs organizations.

In August 2015, Brookings Health System achieved Level Three status. To achieve Level Three, Brookings Health System's hospice continued to educate staff and volunteers, developed a veteran-to-veteran volunteer program, and conducted veteran-specific outreach presentations. In addition, the hospice team continued integrating the military history checklist in its referral and intake procedures and assisting veterans and families to access veteran benefits.

Currently Brookings Health System is working on achieving Level Four program recognition.