How our strategic affiliation preserved local medical access and elevated quality scores for northwest Ohio residents
Rural America is losing its hospitals at an alarming rate. Yet at Parkview Health, we are bucking that trend.
We are committed to ensuring communities continue to have access to high-quality healthcare close to home. When a local hospital joins our system, we invest in the people, services, and infrastructure needed to preserve local access to care and strengthen the hospital’s long-term future. We build on the hospital’s existing foundation to enhance local services and help ensure patients can continue receiving trusted, high-quality care in their own communities.
The hurdles facing rural hospitals
Before October 2023, the local health system in Williams County faced significant operational and funding hurdles. The hospitals in Bryan and Montpelier were struggling financially. They lacked the capital, specialized technology and regional network scale required to thrive long-term. Local families often had to travel far away just to access basic oncology or advanced surgical procedures.
“Acknowledging the challenges facing smaller health systems today, our leadership sought a trusted partner that shares our values and commitment to maintaining local, high-quality care,” said Chad Tinkel, market president, Parkview Health Ohio. “Affiliating with Parkview allows us to continue serving northwest Ohio with exceptional care.”
Capital deployment and advanced technology upgrades
After the affiliation took effect, we immediately began a major rural transformation. We deployed significant capital to modernize the facility and introduce world-class capabilities. We installed a state-of-the-art linear accelerator at Parkview Bryan Hospital, bringing specialized radiation oncology treatment directly to the local community. We also added a da Vinci robotic surgery system to enable advanced, minimally invasive surgeries locally. These tech upgrades have allowed for more specialty care to be provided closer to home. This allows patients to skip the drive to Toledo or other cities.
Third-party validation and top national rankings
The results of this partnership have been outstanding. In fall 2024, Parkview Bryan Hospital earned its very first Leapfrog "A" safety grade since the affiliation. Even better, in May 2025, the National Rural Health Association named Parkview Bryan Hospital one of the Top 20 rural and community hospitals in the entire nation.
TThis independent recognition proves that joining our network elevates care quality for rural residents. We will continue to invest in our 10 rural community hospitals to keep exceptional care close to home.
“Access to timely emergency and urgent care is critical to the health and safety of any community,” Dr. Gutwein said of the Marion project. “Parkview Marion represents a meaningful investment in the well-being of Grant County, helping ensure residents can receive the right level of care, closer to home, when it matters most.”
Two facilities today. More to come. The building doesn't decide the bill anymore.
