Top Community Hospitals Named

"When a community lacks a doctor, there is a domino effect,” Smith said. "Families leave and it is hard to attract new business."

As for Thomson Reuters' top 100 hospitals, the top major teaching hospitals are listed here. To see the top large, medium, and small community hospitals, scroll down. Make note: Thomson Reuters gives special recognition to hospitals that delivered the greatest rate of improvement over five years. Those are called Everest Award winners, and they are identified by asterisks.

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital - Downers Grove, IL

Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth - Fort Worth, TX

Boone Hospital Center - Columbia, MO

Centennial Medical Center - Nashville, TN

Central DuPage Hospital - Winfield, IL

CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System - Texarkana, TX

Martin Memorial Medical Center - Stuart, FL

Missouri Baptist Medical Center - St. Louis, MO

Silver Cross Hospital - Joliet, IL

Southwest General Health Center - Middleburg Heights, OH

St. David's Medical Center - Austin, TX

Trinity Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler, TX

*Augusta Health - Fisherville, VA

Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center - Sheboygan, WI

Blanchard Valley Hospital - Findlay, OH

Columbus Regional Hospital - Columbus, IN

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital - Katy, TX