Avera St. Luke’s Named to Newsweek’s 2026 World’s Best Hospitals List
Avera St. Luke’s Hospital has been named to Newsweek’s 2026 World’s Best Hospitals list, debuting at No. 413 among 800 hospitals recognized across 32 countries. The distinction places Avera St. Luke’s among an elite group of hospitals worldwide recognized for excellence in clinical quality, patient experience and overall performance.
As a first-time honoree, Avera St. Luke’s was also featured in a separate Newsweek article highlighting the organization’s strong foundation, mission-driven culture and long-standing commitment to patient care.
In the Newsweek article, Regional President and CEO Dan Bjerknes said, “To have 125 years of longevity, you must have a strong foundation and be rooted in your mission. But it takes more than that; it takes dedicated employees. We have had employees serve this hospital for 40 to 50 years, and that level of commitment to our patients and our community is something to be proud of.”
Newsweek evaluated more than 2,500 hospitals worldwide to determine this year’s rankings. Hospitals were assessed based on four primary data sources:
Recommendations from medical experts, including physicians, hospital managers and other health care professionals
Hospital quality metrics
Existing patient experience data
Statista’s Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Implementation Survey
The recognition reflects the collective efforts of Avera St. Luke’s physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, clinical teams and support staff who work collaboratively to deliver safe, high-quality and compassionate care. From direct patient care to operational and administrative support, every team member plays a vital role in achieving and sustaining excellence.
The Newsweek feature article also highlighted Avera St. Luke’s culture of caring, strong community partnerships and commitment to continuous improvement — all hallmarks of the organization’s 125-year legacy of service. Avera St. Luke’s will officially celebrate 125 years on Oct. 18.
“This honor belongs to our employees and medical staff,” Bjerknes said. “Their expertise, compassion and dedication to our patients are the foundation of this achievement. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care every day.”
For more information about Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals rankings, visit Newsweek.com. View the full Newsweek article at : https://www.newsweek.com/top-u-s-hospitals-step-up-as-access-gaps-widen-11589611