Jefferson Community Health & Life

What Jefferson Community Health & Life does

Jefferson Community Health & Life (JCH&L) is a private, nonprofit 17-bed Critical Access Hospital headquartered in Fairbury, Nebraska, serving southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas. Originally founded in 1963 as Jefferson Community Health Center and rebranded in January 2017, the organization operates an integrated continuum of care spanning acute inpatient services, a 24-hour emergency department, primary care through the Fairbury Clinic (acquired July 2016), Gardenside long-term care, home health, the Burkley Fitness Center, and outpatient specialty clinics covering cancer care, women's health, sports medicine and rehabilitation, behavioral health, radiology, and surgery. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard healthcare IT — an electronic medical record with a patient portal (IQ Health), telehealth-enabled radiology consults via a partnership with Radiology Associates, and participation in federal quality reporting programs — with no disclosed proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities.

The business model is service-fee revenue billed through Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance for clinical services, supplemented by long-term care per-diem payments, home health visits, fitness center memberships, and out-of-pocket ancillary offerings such as HealthyLife Testing and the Smart Moves lifestyle-change program. Financial assistance and No Surprises Act good-faith estimates are provided. Patient acquisition is community-based: same-day appointments, referrals, support groups (Alzheimer's caregiver, Parkinson's, grief), and recurring community events (blood drives, safety days, health fairs). Leadership is Holly Wolff (CEO since 2025), Erin Smith (COO), and Chance Klasek (CFO), with operations overseen by a member-elected Board of Directors (members contribute $100 to join the corporation). The organization is a sustained recipient of national quality designations, including Top 100 Critical Access Hospital recognition in 10+ years (2014–2026), Top 20 CAH in 2018 and 2026, and a 5-star CMS rating for Gardenside maintained 2008–2023 and reaffirmed through 2025.

Name

Jefferson Community Health & Life

Legal name

Jefferson Community Health & Life

Website

https://jchealthandlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Jefferson Community Health & Life is a nonprofit 17-bed Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Nebraska, providing integrated acute care, emergency, primary care, long-term care, home health, and wellness services to southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Community Healthcare

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Home Health Care Services (621610), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Critical Access & Rural Hospitals (HLAFAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Independent Living Community Ancillary Services (Dining/Transportation/Wellness Programs) (HLADAAAI)

Keywords

• Rural healthcare services
• Critical access hospital
• Primary care clinic
• Long-term care facility
• Emergency medical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hospital and Clinical Services: Acute care hospital services, emergency care, outpatient services, laboratory, radiology, surgery, and primary care clinic services billed through insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid
2. Long-term Care (Gardenside): Residential long-term care services for elderly and extended care patients
3. Home Health Services: In-home healthcare services for patients requiring medical care outside hospital settings
4. Fitness Center Memberships: Burkley Fitness Center offering full fitness facilities and classes for community members
5. Specialty Services: Cancer care, women's health, sports medicine and rehabilitation, behavioral health, and other specialty medical services
6. Pharmacy Services: On-site pharmacy providing medications to patients
7. Patient Financial Assistance: Financial assistance programs available for uninsured and underinsured patients

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Jefferson Community Health & Life operates a 17-bed acute care Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Nebraska, delivering 24-hour emergency care, inpatient services, surgery, radiology, laboratory, and outpatient specialty care. Its broader integrated network includes the Fairbury Clinic family medicine practice, Gardenside long-term care facility, Burkley Fitness Center, home health services, and Cedarwood assisted living, supported by chronic disease management, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women's health, cancer care, and educational/wellness programs.

Product overview

Jefferson Community Health & Life operates as a unified healthcare delivery platform offering a comprehensive range of health and life services through multiple integrated care settings. The core offering consists of a 17-bed acute care Critical Access Hospital (Health Center), a primary care Family Medicine Clinic, long-term care (Gardenside), home health services, and a fitness center (Burkley Fitness Center). Additional clinical services include emergency care, cancer care, women's health, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgical services, behavioral health, radiology and diagnostic imaging, occupational health, and outpatient specialty services. The organization also provides educational and wellness programs including support groups, diabetes education, prenatal classes, and the HealthyLife Testing lab service. Together, these services form a continuum of care designed to serve the Fairbury, Nebraska community from preventive care through acute hospitalization and long-term care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Burkley Fitness Center: Fitness center offering a full range of fitness facilities and classes, healthy lifestyle programs, and wellness services.
• Gardenside Long Term Care
• Fairbury Clinic
• JCH&L Home Health
• Cedarwood

Products and services

• Health Center (Acute Care Hospital) A 17-bed acute care Critical Access Hospital providing 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, laboratory testing, radiology, surgery, women's health, and sports medicine and rehabilitation services.
• Fairbury Clinic (Family Medicine) A primary care and family medicine clinic offering diagnosis and treatment for patients of all ages, including preventative care, chronic disease management, minor surgeries, laboratory services, radiology, immunizations, and virtual visits.
• Gardenside Long-Term Care Long-term residential care facility providing nursing care for seniors, part of the JCH&L healthcare system. Gardenside has held a 5-Star Medicare Quality Rating since 2008-2023.
• Burkley Fitness Center Fitness center offering a full range of fitness facilities and classes, including youth swims, to support healthy lifestyle choices for community members.
• Home Health Services In-home healthcare services provided to patients in their residences within the community.
• Emergency Care 24-hour emergency medical services available seven days a week for urgent and life-threatening conditions.
• Cancer Care Comprehensive cancer care services including chemotherapy, lab work, radiology, therapy, and surgery.
• Women's Health Services Women's health services including Women's Health Day experience offering screening mammograms, annual well-woman exams, and fasting lab tests in one visit.
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services for adults and pediatric patients, including sports medicine.
• Surgical Services Inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures performed at the health center.
• Behavioral Health Mental health and behavioral health services for patients in the community.
• Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Comprehensive radiology services including DEXA scan, lung cancer screening, mammography screening, with radiologist support weekly and on-call 24/7.
• Outpatient Specialty Services Convenient outpatient medical care with visiting specialists providing specialty services close to home.
• Occupational Health Occupational health services for employers and employees including work-related injury care and workplace health programs.
• Educational and Wellness Programs Health education programs including Health Today monthly sessions, diabetes education, prenatal classes, support groups (Alzheimer's caregivers, Parkinson's), and safety education programs.
• HealthyLife Testing Discounted laboratory tests available at the patient's request without a physician order, offered with appointment.
• Sterling Connection Program for seniors offering resources including AARP Smart Driver Course and other senior-focused health and wellness services.
• Smart Moves Lifestyle Change Program Lifestyle change program for individuals with pre-diabetes or at risk for pre-diabetes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-Star Quality Rating achieved by Gardenside Long-Term Care (maintained from 2008-2023)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Southeast Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2017Southeast Community College Career Academy (SENCAP) partners with JCH&L to provide healthcare career exploration opportunities for high school students. Students participate in hands-on activities, facility tours, and learn about various healthcare careers.
• Nebraska Community Blood BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Community Blood Bank is the blood supplier for JCH&L and partners with the organization for regular blood drives in Fairbury. Blood drives are held at JCH&L parking lot with dates scheduled throughout the year (February, April, June, August, October, December). JCH&L exceeded collection goals, collecting 33 units and earning funds to support first responder equipment and training.
• Cottonwood HospicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCottonwood Hospice organizes and sponsors a Grief Support Group Series held at JCH&L facilities. The group meets regularly and provides a supportive environment for those navigating loss.
• Alzheimer's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCH&L hosts the Alzheimer's Caregiver's Support Group as a program of the Alzheimer's Association. The group meets monthly and is designed for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
• Blue Valley Community Action PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Valley Community Action Partnership coordinates immunization clinics held twice monthly at JCH&L outpatient services area. JCH&L nursing staff administer immunizations while BVCA staff coordinate the clinic and verify insurance.
• Radiology AssociatescoreTechnology or IntegrationRadiologists from Radiology Associates visit JCH&L weekly and are available by telehealth for emergencies at any time. This partnership provides comprehensive radiology services and diagnostic imaging to help providers evaluate symptoms, confirm diagnoses, and monitor treatment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bryan Health: Lincoln, Nebraska-based regional health system that operates multiple hospitals and clinics across southeast Nebraska. Comparable to JCH&L because it competes for the same rural referral base, provides tertiary services that pull patients from CAHs, and partners with or affiliates community hospitals in the region.
• CHI Health (CommonSpirit Health): Nebraska regional health system owned by CommonSpirit Health with hospitals and clinics across the state. Comparable to JCH&L because it offers rural outpatient and acute services, employs many of the same visiting specialists, and competes for the same patient population in eastern and southeast Nebraska.
• Avera Health: Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based rural and regional health system operating critical access hospitals across the upper Midwest. Comparable to JCH&L as a fellow CAH operator with a hub-and-spoke model, telehealth-supported specialty coverage, and a long-tenured rural quality-improvement program.
• Sanford Health: Large Fargo-based rural health system with critical access hospitals across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa. Comparable to JCH&L as a multi-state rural network with cost-based CAH reimbursement, integrated long-term care, and a community-based service model.
• Methodist Health System: Omaha-based Nebraska health system with regional hospital affiliates. Comparable to JCH&L as a regional referral destination and operator of community hospital partnerships in eastern Nebraska, competing for the same specialty referrals and workforce.

Direct peers

• Brodstone Healthcare: Critical Access Hospital in Superior, Nebraska (~50 miles from Fairbury) with comparable bed size, clinic, and long-term care operations. Directly comparable to JCH&L as a fellow Nebraska CAH serving a similar small rural community with an integrated delivery model.
• Chase County Community Hospital: Critical Access Hospital in Imperial, Nebraska with a similar small-rural service profile including acute care, clinic, and long-term care. Directly comparable to JCH&L in scale, payer mix, and rural Nebraska operating dynamics.
• Howard County Medical Center: Critical Access Hospital in St. Paul, Nebraska operating acute care, clinic, and ancillary services. Directly comparable to JCH&L as a fellow central-Nebraska CAH of similar size competing for similar patient demographics and clinical staff.
• Citizens Memorial Healthcare: Bolivar, Missouri-based integrated rural health system operating a critical access hospital, multiple long-term care facilities, home health, and wellness services. Comparable to JCH&L as a community-owned, non-profit rural system with the same integrated hospital + LTC + home health + wellness structure.

Regional players

• Great Plains Health: Regional referral system in North Platte, Nebraska serving rural western and central Nebraska. Comparable to JCH&L as a higher-acuity referral destination for CAHs across the region and a direct competitor for specialty referrals originating in JCH&L's catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jchealthandlife
• Facebookfacebook.com/jchealthandlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jefferson-community-health-center

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jefferson Community Health & Life