Windsor, NC – ECU Health Bertie Hospital has been recognized as a top 20 critical access hospital for patient perspective by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.
“ECU Health Bertie Hospital is proud of the efforts of the physicians and team members who have contributed to our hospital achieving this recognition,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Bertie Hospital. “Our results as a top 20 critical access hospital for patient perspective means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future. I am grateful to all those who make ECU Health Bertie Hospital an excellent place to receive high-quality care.”
ECU Health Bertie Hospital is a six-bed critical access facility committed to providing high-quality care close to home. The hospital offers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services, including radiology, rehabilitation, and laboratory diagnostics. It also features a specialty clinic delivering advanced care in areas such as pain and wound management, podiatry, nephrology, ENT, and more.
This dedication to excellence has earned ECU Health Bertie Hospital national recognition. In addition to being named a 2026 Chartis top 20 critical access hospital, the hospital achieved an overall five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in October 2025.
The top 20 distinction is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
“At a critical access hospital, each interaction truly matters and can make a lasting difference for our patients,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Delivering an exceptional experience goes beyond a metric—it reflects how we bring our values to life through safe, reliable, and compassionate care. It means listening closely, treating every person with dignity and respect, and fostering an environment where healing can thrive. The dedicated team at ECU Health Bertie Hospital exemplifies our mission, vision, and values through their unwavering commitment to the patients and communities they serve every day.”