OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee has recently been awarded a four-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS) and has been named to the National Rural Honor Roll. This recognition underlines the hospital’s dedication to providing exceptional health care and patient experiences in a rural setting. President Jackie Kernan credits this achievement to the daily efforts of their staff to deliver compassionate, high-quality care. The NRRS evaluates hospitals on patient satisfaction, quality of care, and overall performance, highlighting the unique challenges and achievements of rural healthcare providers. This accolade emphasizes OSF Saint Luke’s role as a vital resource for its community, delivering essential medical services with excellence and care.
Jackie Kernan, president of OSF Saint Luke, is proud of the work done to achieve this impressive rating. “Our Mission Partners strive each day to provide compassionate high-quality care. This award recognizes their commitment to serving with the greatest care and love.”
The 2025 National Rural Honor Roll, announced in November by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), recognizes facilities that achieved the highest standards in patient experience based on reviews collected up until the end of October 2024. This prestigious annual accolade underscores the NRHA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare in rural areas, highlighting these institutions as foundational community pillars. This recognition not only celebrates their achievements but also aims to boost support and resources for rural health care facilities nationwide.
“These awards really shine a spotlight on the heart and hard work that our rural hospitals bring to their communities,” says Brock Slabach, chief operating officer of the NRHA. “Rural health care comes with unique challenges, and reaching this level of excellence shows not only the clinical expertise but also the deep commitment these hospitals have to the people they serve. This recognition celebrates rural health care as a source of strength, compassion, and healing — right where it’s needed most.”