WEST POINT, Neb. (June 5, 2025) – A new alliance of 19 critical-access hospitals across Nebraska has officially launched the Nebraska High Value Network (NHVN), aiming to improve rural healthcare through shared resources, collaboration, and value-based care.
The network is designed to give small, independent hospitals the power of scale—sharing costs, data, and best practices—while allowing them to remain autonomous and responsive to local needs. Through a coordinated effort, NHVN hospitals will work together on clinical and business strategies to enhance patient care, control costs, and partner more effectively with insurers.
“Working together enables our member hospitals to make impactful investments—like in population health management—that wouldn't be possible alone,” said Tyler Toline, NHVN Board Chair and CEO of Franciscan Healthcare in West Point. “We can stay independent and still reap the benefits of a larger system.”
The network’s foundation is a clinically integrated network (CIN) that currently serves nearly 300,000 patients. A physician-led Clinical Integration Committee will oversee quality standards, data-sharing, and care coordination across member hospitals. The goal: reduce administrative burden while improving patient outcomes.
“Through the CIN, we’re showing insurers the high-quality care we already deliver—and building stronger, value-based partnerships as a result,” said Dr. Jared Kramer of Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul.
In addition to clinical collaboration, NHVN will help members cut costs by coordinating purchases and sharing operational expertise. An operations committee made up of hospital leaders will facilitate this work.
NHVN becomes the fifth rural hospital network launched by Cibolo Health, a company that supports independent hospitals through clinically integrated networks. Cibolo Health will provide active daily management of NHVN through its leadership team, including Nathan H. White, President, and Dr. A. Clinton MacKinney, Chief Medical Officer.
The NHVN is already in talks with other rural Nebraska hospitals about joining and anticipates continued growth.
About the Nebraska High Value Network: The Nebraska High Value Network unites 19 independent critical-access hospitals committed to improving rural healthcare while maintaining local control. Through its clinically integrated network and shared services, NHVN aims to enhance care quality, reduce costs, and support rural communities across Nebraska.