STILLWATER, Okla., Sept. 23, 2026 — For 15 consecutive years, Stillwater Medical has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. More than an annual recognition, the milestone reflects something Stillwater Medical has worked to build over time: a culture where people feel connected to their work, supported by their colleagues and invested in the community they serve.
The recognition, presented by Modern Healthcare, honors healthcare organizations nationwide for their commitment to employee engagement and workplace culture. Stillwater Medical is the only organization in Oklahoma to receive the distinction for 15 consecutive years, placing the health system among a select group of healthcare organizations nationwide to reach the milestone.
“A positive culture isn’t something you create once and then maintain. It requires us to listen, adapt and remain intentional about the experience of our employees,” said Brad Horst, vice president of Human Resources at Stillwater Medical. “To be recognized for 15 consecutive years tells us that our people continue to see value in the culture we’re building together. We’re proud of that, but we also know there is always more we can do.”
Employee feedback plays an important role in shaping that culture. Stillwater Medical regularly uses employee input to identify opportunities to improve communication, support professional growth, strengthen leadership and enhance the overall employee experience.
That commitment is evident to physicians, nurses and employees who have made Stillwater Medical their professional home.
TJ Trad, cardiologist, has practiced at Stillwater Medical for 10 years. While living in Tulsa means commuting to Stillwater for work, the culture and people at the health system have continued to make the drive worthwhile.
“I’d do every single mile again because on the other end of that drive is a community I love. People who trusted me with their worst days, a team that became family, a place that turned a job into a calling,” Trad said. “Rural Oklahoma doesn’t always make the headlines, but the people here — they show up for each other. It’s been the honor of my career to show up for them.”
Horst said that sense of connection is an important part of what Stillwater Medical hopes to foster for every employee, regardless of their role.
“Healthcare is challenging work, and our employees give a tremendous amount of themselves every day,” Horst said. “We want people to know that they matter here—not only for what they contribute professionally, but for who they are. When people feel valued and engaged, it not only shows up in our sense of teamwork but also in the quality of care we provide our patients.”
As a local, not-for-profit public trust health system, Stillwater Medical’s workplace culture ultimately extends beyond its employees. The organization’s more than 2,000 employees live, work and raise their families throughout the communities it serves, bringing the impact of their work home with them each day.
After 15 consecutive years of recognition, Stillwater Medical sees the award not as a finish line, but as an opportunity to continue investing in its people.
“Fifteen years is a meaningful milestone, and we’re grateful for what it represents,” Horst said. “But the real story is the people who come to work here every day and make this a place where others want to stay, grow and do meaningful work. That’s the culture we want to keep building.”
About Stillwater Medical
Stillwater Medical is a not-for-profit, community-owned health system serving north-central Oklahoma with high-quality, compassionate care. The health system features over 150 physicians and 2,000 employees, offering comprehensive services including emergency care, orthopedics, women’s health, and cardiology, and cancer care. Stillwater Medical is recognized as one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek.