By Andy Gott ,
3 hours ago
When it comes to healthcare in South Dakota, most people immediately think of the massive medical hubs in Sioux Falls. Between the giant campuses of Sanford and Avera, the state’s largest city usually hogs the spotlight.
However, a new national ranking from Forbes tells a surprisingly different story.
When Forbes released its inaugural ratings for the best hospitals in the country for 2026, only five facilities in South Dakota earned a coveted five-star score. While one specialized Sioux Falls hospital made the cut, regional medical centers in smaller communities like Aberdeen, Brookings, and Watertown completely swept the rest of the list.
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South Dakota’s Only Five Star Rated Hospitals
Credit: Google Street View Out of thousands of facilities evaluated across the country, Forbes awarded its highest five-star rating to just five South Dakota hospitals:
Avera Heart Hospital – Sioux Falls
Avera St. Luke’s Hospital – Aberdeen
Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center – Aberdeen
Brookings Hospital – Brookings
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System – Watertown
The Breakdown: Smaller South Dakota Hubs Steal the Spotlight
If you live in South Dako...