Glacial Ridge Health System (GRHS) has been named the 8th-ranked midsize employer in Minnesota on the Star Tribune’s 2025 Top 200 Workplaces list. This recognition highlights GRHS’s strong employee engagement, its mission of delivering heartfelt care, and the positive culture shaped by its dedicated team. As one of just 47 midsize organizations (150–499 employees) statewide to earn this honor—and one of the top 10 in its category—GRHS is especially proud to represent rural healthcare on the list of Minnesota’s top employers.

The Top Workplaces rankings are determined by Energage, an independent firm specializing in employee engagement. Results are based entirely on anonymous staff feedback that measures organizational health, satisfaction, leadership, and alignment with mission and values. Nearly 600 Minnesota employers participated in the 2025 survey, with 200 making the final list.

“At Glacial Ridge, we look for people who genuinely connect with our mission,” said CEO Kirk Stensrud. “This recognition is a reflection of a team that believes in heartfelt care and brings that compassion to every patient and coworker interaction.”

Recognized for Care, Inside and Out

Glacial Ridge’s commitment to excellence extends beyond employee culture. The health system recently earned 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in patient-experience categories, including Cleanliness, Quietness, and Staff Responsiveness, as noted in the October 2024 CMS results. In recognition of these achievements, Becker’s Hospital Review named Glacial Ridge one of the quietest hospitals in the country.

Additionally, the Environmental Services team was recognized with the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award by the Minnesota Hospital Association this spring, one of two hospitals to receive this honor. These accolades reflect GRHS’s ability to create an environment that supports rest, healing, and overall patient satisfaction—through both clinical and behind-the-scenes excellence.

At a time when many health systems are facing staffing challenges, GRHS maintains a vacancy rate of 1.7%, significantly lower than the 13% average reported across Minnesota hospitals. This stability is a testament to the organization’s strong culture, engaged workforce, and commitment to both patients and staff.