Tyler Ust honored as Top Critical Access Hospital CEO
March 3, 2026
Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – For the second consecutive year, Becker’s Health Review has named Tyler Ust, Sanford Thief River Falls chief executive officer, to the 2025 edition of its “103 Critical Access Hospital CEO’s to Know.”
The CEOs recognized on this list are steadfast in their commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety and financial sustainability. These leaders ensure their hospitals remain trusted community resources by bringing essential services close to home, attracting top physicians and collaborating with larger health systems to enhance care capabilities.
“Bringing world-class health care close to home is at the forefront of our daily work,” said Ust. “Two strong examples of how Sanford Thief River Falls reduces barriers to care are our expanded partnership with the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center and our continued commitment to high emergency care standards, including maintaining our stroke-ready hospital designation. I am deeply grateful for the entire Sanford Thief River Falls team, who take tremendous pride in earning the trust of the communities we serve. That trust is something we will never take for granted.”
Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center, a critical access hospital, provides 24/7 emergency care. The hospital plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality care, ensuring patient safety and maintaining financial stability for the greater Northwest Minnesota region.
Ust, who joined Sanford in 2014 and previously served as clinic director, now oversees all medical center and medical clinic operations in Thief River Falls. In recent years, Sanford Thief River Falls has been recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and has earned Top 10% Quality Performance honors from The Chartis Center for Rural Health—reflecting the team’s consistent commitment to excellence.
The full list of all nominees can be found here.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
