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The Stars of the Field is H&HN's second annual AHA awards issue. Hospitals that are making tremendous strides in improving quality of care, expanding outreach to their communities and caring for patients during their most vulnerable times are highlighted. Click 'view item' below to read the entire issue or the links below to read each article.

AHA's President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock introduces the issue with a .

seeks to raise awareness of the need for a hospitalwide commitment to highly reliable, exceptional quality and safe, patient-centered care and to promote a systems-based approach toward improvements in quality of care. The winner receives $75,000; the finalist receives $12,500.

Each year, up to five programs led by AHA-member hospitals receive the . Winners are recognized for improving community health by looking beyond patients' physical ailments, rooting out the economic or social barriers to care and collaborating with other community stakeholders.

The winners of the for innovation in palliative and end-of-life care are all reaching out beyond their walls to serve people with serious, complex illnesses in ways that can be adapted by other health care providers.

The is presented annually to a state, regional or metropolitan hospital association, that, through its programs and activities, demonstrates exceptional organizational leadership and innovation in quality improvement and has made significant contributions to the measurable improvement of quality within its geographic area.

The honors hospitals that apply technology in innovative ways, finding creative solutions to serve their patients, staff and communities. A panel of chief information officers and others evaluate submissions on a variety of criteria, including universality and achievement of business objectives, creativity and uniqueness of concept, impact on the organization, scope of the solution, stage of implementation, and technical creativity.