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MLHS Receives 2026 Women’s Choice Award
April 9, 2026
Mille Lacs Health System (MLHS) in Onamia has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for ER Wait Time & Efficiency by the Women’s Choice Award®, a national recognition that highlights hospitals delivering timely, efficient emergency services. This distinction places MLHS in the top 9% of 4,655 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care.
Now in its 16th year, the Women’s Choice Award is a nationally respected symbol of quality and integrity in healthcare. It is the only designation specifically focused on the trust and confidence of women and families, using objective data to identify top-performing hospitals across the country.
Hospitals recognized for Emergency Care are evaluated on key factors that matter most to patients, including how quickly they are seen and treated in the emergency department. Measures include the average time patients spend in the ER and how often patients leave before being seen. Patient experience also plays an important role, including whether patients would recommend the hospital to others.
The evaluation is based on publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results, along with additional research into patient preferences. The data used for this award reflects the reporting period from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
To qualify, hospitals must meet or exceed the national average for patient recommendation, ensuring the recognition reflects both quality care and patient confidence.
If this recognition sounds familiar, it’s because MLHS has consistently been recognized for its emergency department performance, particularly in ER wait times and efficiency. This latest award reinforces that ongoing commitment to providing prompt, high-quality care when it matters most.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our emergency department team to provide timely, high-quality care for every patient who walks through our doors,” said Andy Colberg, Quality Department Director at Mille Lacs Health System. “We continuously monitor our performance and look for ways to improve, ensuring our patients receive the care they need as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The Women’s Choice Award helps patients make informed healthcare decisions by identifying hospitals that excel in both clinical performance and patient experience. This recognition reflects MLHS’s continued commitment to providing efficient, high-quality emergency care for the community.