Rice Community Hospital (Hospital District No. 1 of Rice County) is proud to announce the milestone of its 65th anniversary. Established in 1959, the hospital has been a cornerstone of healthcare for the residents of Lyons and Rice County, providing high-quality care with compassion and commitment to the community.

The 65th anniversary celebration kicks off today with Rural Health Day, a special event dedicated to recognizing and supporting the unique healthcare needs of rural communities. This celebration also marks a significant year of transformation for the hospital, as it recently completed a major rebranding campaign aimed at unifying its services under the banner of Rice Community Health. This campaign reflects the hospital’s evolving role in the community and its commitment to providing seamless, patient-centered care across all locations and programs, including Rural Health Connections, Sterling Family Care, and Lyons Family Care.

Since its founding, Rice Community Hospital has grown from a small facility to a full-service critical access hospital offering a wide range of services, including emergency care, outpatient services, rehabilitation, and wellness programs. With a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, the hospital has remained steadfast in its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of its patients and the community.

This year, Rice Community Hospital was honored with two prestigious recognitions: being named a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). These accolades highlight the hospital’s continued excellence in patient care, operational performance, and community impact.

“Our rebranding campaign this year has been an incredible opportunity to highlight the depth and breadth of services we provide to the community,” said George Strover, CEO of Rice Community Hospital. “It’s more than a new look—it’s about reemphasizing our commitment to the health and wellness of every patient we serve. Kicking off our 65th anniversary with Rural Health Day is the perfect way to honor that commitment. Being named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by Chartis and a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital by NRHA this year is a testament to the extraordinary work of our team and our focus on providing high-quality care.”

Rice Community Hospital looks forward to continuing its proud tradition of caring for the community for many years to come.