About Jefferson Community Health & Life

Jefferson Community Health & Life operates a 17-bed, acute care Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Nebraska. We offer inpatient and outpatient services, including surgerytherapyscreenings, and emergency services. We also provide additional health and life services for the community, including Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury Clinic for family medicine, Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside for long-term care, Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center and Jefferson Community Health & Life Home Health services. In addition, Jefferson Community Health & Life supports numerous educational programs and community support groups.

Member of the Nebraska Hospital Association

Awards & Honors

2023, 2021, 2020,  2019, 20182017, 2015, 2014 

Named one of the 100 top Critical Access Hospitals in the nation

Named OnCon Icon Top 50 Operational Teams winner for 2023.

Named OnCon Icon Top 100 Executive Teams winner for 2023.

2020

Named Top 20 Critical Access Hospital for Quality

2023, 2022, 2021

Named a performance leader in quality and patient perspective.

2020

Named a performance leader in patient perspective.

2019, 2018, 20172016

Named a performance leader in quality, outcomes and patient perspective

Medicare Star Ratings

2024

Gardenside received a 4 star rating in 2024.

2008-2023

Gardenside received 5 Star Quality Rating.

Nebraska-Safety-Council-Workplace-Safety-Award

2022, 2019, 2015

Received the Spirit award in 2022 for the Nebraska Safety Council Workplace Safety Award

Received the Spirit award in 2019 for the Nebraska Safety Council Workplace Safety Award

Received Star level in 2015 for the Nebraska Safety Council Workplace Safety Award

Named among the top HEALTHSTRONG hospitals in 2015

2015

Named among the top HEALTHSTRONG hospitals in the nation

2018

Named one of the 20 top Critical Access Hospitals in the nation

Gardenside Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award 2017

2017

Gardenside: Received the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award for residential care

What Our Patients Say

“This is the best hospital I have ever been to. The staff is very special and treats people like everyone is important.”

“All the people who worked there were friendly, willing to help and made my stay the best I have ever had.”

“The nurses and doctors are so caring and understanding. We are so fortunate to have this facility in our area.”

“The doctor and nurses who cared for me were extremely professional and compassionate.”

“Excellent facility and personnel. Their care and compassion were very special to me.”

“The nurse and physician’s assistant were extremely professional and considerate, as well as the help at the desk when I came in. My sincere thanks to all.”

“I am at the emergency room way too often, and I have never been let down at Jefferson Community Health & Life.”

“All of the nurses I had made me feel like I was their most important job of the day.”

“Great staff and results. No complaints, keep doing a great job. Positive asset to the hospital!”

“Thank you Megan! You are an awesome therapist. This facility is so very helpful and when I need therapy, and I look forward to coming and seeing all the therapist I was helped by!”

“Thanks Nichole! Awesome job! Very pleased. I worked with every therapist throughout my rehab. Awesome job by all! Well done!”

“All of the staff at the Jefferson Community Health & Life sports medicine & rehabilitation department are outstanding at what they do for their patients. Always my ONLY choice for rehabilitation when needed!”

“I feel that Jefferson Community Health & Life is an excellent facility, and I gained a lot of strength and mobility while here.”

“The therapists are extremely good and really know how to get people rehabilitated. They are all very nice people. Thank you all for your wonderful help!”

“My first experience with therapy was excellent! You people make some fun out of the experience! Thanks!”

“Very good experience – they helped me so much! From wheelchair, to walking with a cane, to unassisted! I am so grateful!”

“Treatment was exceptional. My pain decreased and my range of motion increased significantly.”

“Travis did a wonderful job working with me. I believe due to his professionalism and concern, I have made the progress I was after.”

“Everyone in the office was very helpful and friendly. Great bunch, I and would recommend this place to anyone.”

“Very satisfied with service here! Will be back if ever necessary!”

“Absolutely excellent staff. Very professional at all times, very knowledgeable, caring and helpful to everyone.”

“ER was very friendly and very on top of things. They anticipated issues before they happened.”

“This hospital has always been excellent.”

“Everyone who was on-call during my ER visit and admission to the hospital were very professional, kind and explained my illness and what to expect during my stay.”

“First rate service A to Z.”

“We chose to do a Virtual Visit. Everything went really well from schedule with the front office to getting it set up on the phone and then meeting with Kelsey. … Everything went really well.”

What Others Say

A case study on Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of 12 illustrations of partnerships now featured in the 2017 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Health Hospital-Community Partnerships, a publication of Bryan Health.

Bryan Health Compendium – Jefferson Community Health & Life