Press Releases

Press Releases / en Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:55:26 -0500 Tue, 29 Jul 25 10:21:18 -0500 AHA Announces Class of 2026 Next Gen Fellows /press-releases/2025-07-29-aha-announces-class-2026-next-gen-fellows CHICAGO (July 29, 2025)&nbsp;—&nbsp;America’s hospitals and health systems are transforming to meet the changing needs of patients and communities by developing leaders with bold perspectives and specialized skills — from technology and data analytics to population health and workforce transformation. Tomorrow’s leaders must have the knowledge, skills and adaptability to navigate change and create a culture of innovation and accountability.The �� Association’s (AHA)&nbsp;<a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/program-details">Next Generation Leaders Fellowship</a>,&nbsp;focused on empowering leaders to bring about real and lasting change in health care, announced its latest class of fellows consisting of 36&nbsp;individuals, including 12&nbsp;<a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/scholarship">Age-Friendly Fellows</a>&nbsp;supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation. In addition, three Fellows are from state hospital associations.“Our 2026 class will be prepared to make a significant difference for patients and the communities they serve,” said Michelle Hood, AHA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “The Next Generation Leaders Fellowship provides many learning opportunities to address key challenges facing hospitals and health systems today.”Fellows represent 20 states across urban, suburban and rural communities, and one U.S. territory, each making significant contributions to their respective hospitals, health systems and organizations through a wide range of roles, including quality, medicine, operations, nursing, market intelligence, business development and geriatrics.During the 12-month fellowship program, participants will expand their knowledge on leading change, navigating the new health care environment, driving transformation, improving care delivery and developing operational strategies for success.Each fellow is carefully matched with a mentor for personalized guidance. Fellows will work one-on-one with their mentors to execute a capstone project specific to a challenge within their organization.<a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/" target="_blank">The John A. Hartford Foundation</a>&nbsp;is providing scholarships for a cohort of Age-Friendly Fellows who will participate in this year’s class as part of the&nbsp;<a href="/center/age-friendly-health-systems">Age-Friendly Health Systems</a>&nbsp;initiative focused on improving the care of older adults.Learn more about the 2026 class of fellows&nbsp;<a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/roster">here</a>.&nbsp;### About the �� Association (AHA) The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DeDNMJiR1601yOe4MaifqClqdHitT0SBDo6hVejI-2F0uk-3DIBW6_kFmn947cPXeH4Nw5FKo9qWRARJUhwQXnY03SXbOJmd4fh-2FMf2fOpasllheBrYb-2F8tnjtjNDujBrG4uugreK5OWkDI227pG8YPlYGd-2Boz0WRezRdoSQJc-2FP-2FpAltWiLE92K3nooc-2FooQkkdlWTzT4ACRlP9W08ehFw2sv6X87qqF5sGb3sx9-2Fx6xTwk4XAp-2FGGvoCI-2FQl1mnhXdbLIAW-2FHoJZV5J46jZF2Q0hwQW61iKjAIPA4ligeJEG7CjLFTLQD2uNgE3LaomEMOwQCZ60yyEyv-2Bocg3oRDYIfnUCYkn-2FBx6AEywMqTGaQRBxL38CUJdTTGaszhb2vWhV9XQYZyvwNYY3JWq9qfyCpgylq7nHYgHlEEEO-2FvoaiVx090XoO&amp;data=04%7C01%7Ccmilligan%40aha.org%7C3a442c9984df4ea82ab608d913b7d3ee%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637562502528140012%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=X2DZVso3YeFlCEln%2FGHrL9xUhOXWWPkZ8DXib4xi1Lw%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org</a>.&nbsp; Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:21:18 -0500 Press Releases �� Association and Epic Collaborate Toward Improving Maternal Health Outcomes /press-releases/2025-07-24-american-hospital-association-and-epic-collaborate-toward-improving-maternal-health-outcomes WASHINGTON (July 24, 2025) — The �� Association (AHA) and health care technology company Epic are collaborating to help more hospitals consider adopting a set of tools to aid in the detection and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) — a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of childbirth.PPH is responsible for 11% of maternal deaths in the United States and notably 40% of all such hemorrhages occur in patients without any risk factors. Point-of-care tools in the electronic health record (EHR) can help health care providers prevent, detect and treat PPH, ultimately saving lives and improving care for mothers across America.“The �� Association and Epic share a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for moms and babies,” said Chris DeRienzo, M.D., AHA Chief Physician Executive and a neonatologist. “This new collaboration amplifies our efforts to drive continuous improvement by sharing evidence-based resources to help reduce this tragic condition. It’s a natural extension of&nbsp;<a href="/patientsafety">AHA’s Patient Safety Initiative</a>, a collaborative data-driven effort to highlight and learn from patient safety progress at hospitals and health systems around the country.”This&nbsp;<a href="/guidesreports/2025-07-24-strategies-improving-postpartum-hemorrhage-outcomes">PPH toolkit</a>, available today to users of Epic’s Stork Obstetrics Information System, includes methods of assessing a mother’s risk of hemorrhage, a mechanism to continuously refresh risk assessments throughout the childbirth and postpartum period, embedded guides to support clinical decision-making within clearly defined risk categories, and facilitate treatment of an acute hemorrhage, all within a clinician’s obstetric workflow. With the proper permissions from applicable content providers, users of any EHR should be able to implement a similar set of tools.“Every mother deserves a safe childbirth experience,” said Jackie Gerhart, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Epic. “That’s why we’re working together to deliver proven, point-of-care tools that help clinicians prevent and manage postpartum hemorrhage. The goal of our joint effort is to help caregivers act quickly when every second counts.”The collaboration will bring together experts from Epic’s customer community and the AHA Patient Safety Initiative to increase awareness of this toolkit. Through this joint effort, AHA and Epic can support hospitals in their implementation journey with programming, resources and a space to learn from each other and engage with hospitals already seeing successful outcomes with items that are included in the toolkit today. For example:&nbsp;Baptist Health in Arkansas, which delivers around 6,800 babies yearly, implemented the postpartum risk assessment tool developed by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), maternal emergency narrator and a blood loss calculator in their EHR in three phases. Staff participated in hemorrhage drills to ensure they mastered the tools to assist with treating a hemorrhaging patient.WakeMed Health &amp; Hospitals (WakeMed), a nationally recognized not-for-profit health system based in Raleigh, N.C., is home to three full-service hospitals and birthing centers as well as a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With a commitment to deliver the best possible experience for every birthing person, baby and family, WakeMed reported 9,915 births during its 2024 fiscal year. Using the AWHONN postpartum risk assessment tool, a maternal emergency narrator, and quantitative blood loss calculator in the health system’s EHR, WakeMed has seen a consistent decrease in obstetric hemorrhage rates since 2022.For more information, hospital teams can reach out to AHA or their Epic customer contact.### About the �� Association (AHA) The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DOYJSCMTyBhNCCTfI0zdwszOYn3sJE-2FXqs5pFQbQToVu1czeS7DyxR-2FigHWVFiRY4Oo6oAgJXLD947TA-2BGEZyx1U-2BxMxhwGCmeu3hpBv62ixi4Gaoj3ungeoEa3-2FYAHGK3BHm7IClPMOpqGGuehZcHKd2iz31UD7RKmKyCEcMXRTnoh8yBlJu8acmYAALrp6EOP-2Ft3cnmMdvK5nqZdJSXLePqsym9B6l3-2FhTMq7-2Bb8JosjEZoUHARSNRXcRhjtYuUW8b3Ruh3OnqTtP1rycsXtU4hb5fYexe1wss235Q3FCy9uHmriYCFIBuZf8PnpO5pyRJ-2FfmPIBok22615K4oIqgUtbmSmoQxAPJDlI7OGQnCH5suHHwqHxLuBPxjhw3x0S-2BOlVbfr1tyv5q4WDmwhJfnRB1I2CVYvbzsfDnVWzRIoFI5EC2XZl5-2BaBihF3e-2FZvUWbpesKDlmo2VQLhaEk7M6hRO-2FHBlIG-2BTjT7VkJw709CcEkALVTPDz8y0UzEZs0GoIuPdJHeZARIbFOa9gR6fjMkrPAI6LO9FTom-2BexnSp9GQ4l5mmgXaZ7CsIwtMrheRImxdy5MBp05eji1HpT-2FNeN3hN6rYbIdat8ariKfBzqMjtOAgMDnZCRiHvatebOaiSETOoI2jYpwKKhpJNfNHrF0zx672dz7CsT5YmZ5HXzolBt0R012j2tkbYqtPNOY8oBz1wGPjBnTq9EPST8F-2BW8-2FYikePbYBMDgUMo0nlUeQBC8AZre7rJcTTITJnjl-2BNiFadG9NwKiA-2FxQgjk7VqHqHGjMpXr5hphWufxQss37NhkSCN3PHCfPGELMAyVsuWEKFwhoII57va6Oc-2FP5fsy4s0pxWYIqbY7TFBxC4wv2vIQPbuK-2Ffgk92daVI0JbCyEOx-2BFh5dH28vCEzpcdfxN7krdKp1FgVQ77i4Sezf0l7WnGrdsLMGXrQAqt9yGU-2BRKCi2ifh3BBnB5JbeuGETPkYqxtKSPZi-2BtIy8eF9puF4krxKbkq8cKiKnElAahdVAnleE-2FzQ7bHPiUMu3JZ72gbqCPI5qXrELa9W2-2Fu-2FiJArYirVKXaV8uTZytnN7QZGhEDdUUzOBh5hjtGiUnGFG-2FbedfAFF738UgbctI6-2F6LwvaxUTT-2F3f5-2BYAtNOA3gFIkr0YZI-2Bkp0pooE3R22sTgBSNmdXiivkpApx6Ei-2BDX8-3D3DAA_kFmn947cPXeH4Nw5FKo9qWRARJUhwQXnY03SXbOJmd4fh-2FMf2fOpasllheBrYb-2F8tnjtjNDujBrG4uugreK5OWkDI227pG8YPlYGd-2Boz0WRezRdoSQJc-2FP-2FpAltWiLE9pScP81GIyVR1BztpaUmvq4E4zMoLikDKB7qk7SlL1-2FSGTuq0Bu0R3sCFv0AlEvmdDd75oyZbY7RlObuKy8esCENzQALhVZozv7LMFYFbh6FoAftC2xff7B2RF1o4DyYa8Yk0qnye3e4M7f-2FLTDmb41Sre88XiBBVGOfI8xGJkG97-2FD0XhYt4wg6fI0ygMcU4RnkuCvJp-2FGmWHgxvA8ix-2B09NZaMuyjMcnGo-2FFsPDtVZB0niWZpguf-2FSbdPRwWfez&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ccmilligan%40aha.org%7Ce2604527eb3f4875ea0a08da552477fc%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637915912395382238%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jDbJ5gw8UdYtaVoma4Dn5DzDDHMI494FNLdQQh" target="_blank" title="(opens in a new window)">www.aha.org</a>. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:15:48 -0500 Press Releases AHA Board Names Bill Gassen as Chair-Elect Designate /press-releases/2025-07-20-aha-board-names-bill-gassen-chair-elect-designate WASHINGTON&nbsp;(July 20, 2025) – The �� Association (AHA) Board of Trustees has elected Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., as its Chair-elect Designate. Gassen will be Chair-elect in 2026 and become the 2027 Chair of the AHA, the top-elected official of the national organization that represents America’s hospitals and health systems and works to advance health in America.Since 2020, Gassen has helped transform the rural health care experience at Sanford Health, which serves over 2 million patients and more than 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2021, Sanford Health unveiled a $350 million virtual care initiative to improve access to convenient, high-quality care for rural, underserved communities. In that same year, Sanford Health announced plans to fully fund 15 additional residency and fellowship programs for a total of 27 programs, to build the next generation of rural health care providers, in partnership with universities in the rural Midwest. Sanford Health is accelerating clinical innovation and research through nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies."It’s an incredible honor to be named Chair-elect Designate of the �� Association," Gassen said. "This is a pivotal moment for health care in our country, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and help carry forward the AHA’s strong legacy of advocating for hospitals and health systems across rural, urban and suburban America. I’m committed to ensuring our members’ perspectives are heard – and that we stay focused on forward-looking strategies to strengthen care delivery and improve the health of the communities we serve."Prior to becoming president and CEO, Gassen served in a number of executive roles for Sanford Health, including as the chief administrative officer, corporate counsel, and chief human resources officer. Gassen is a former health care litigator and current member of the State Bar of South Dakota. Gassen has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 most influential people in health care (2022, 2023 and 2024).Gassen is a member of the AHA Board of Trustees. He also currently serves as a member of the AHA Executive Committee, AHA Operations Committee, and previously served on the AHA’s Health Systems Committee as well as the AHA Taskforce on the Changing Workforce.He serves as the chair of the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, an organization formed to strengthen patients’ access to high-quality health care. In addition, Gassen serves on the board of directors for Oscar Health, Inc., Medical Alley, and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a law degree, both from the University of South Dakota.### &nbsp;About the �� Association (AHA) The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DOYJSCMTyBhNCCTfI0zdwszOYn3sJE-2FXqs5pFQbQToVu1czeS7DyxR-2FigHWVFiRY4Oo6oAgJXLD947TA-2BGEZyx1U-2BxMxhwGCmeu3hpBv62ixi4Gaoj3ungeoEa3-2FYAHGK3BHm7IClPMOpqGGuehZcHKd2iz31UD7RKmKyCEcMXRTnoh8yBlJu8acmYAALrp6EOP-2Ft3cnmMdvK5nqZdJSXLePqsym9B6l3-2FhTMq7-2Bb8JosjEZoUHARSNRXcRhjtYuUW8b3Ruh3OnqTtP1rycsXtU4hb5fYexe1wss235Q3FCy9uHmriYCFIBuZf8PnpO5pyRJ-2FfmPIBok22615K4oIqgUtbmSmoQxAPJDlI7OGQnCH5suHHwqHxLuBPxjhw3x0S-2BOlVbfr1tyv5q4WDmwhJfnRB1I2CVYvbzsfDnVWzRIoFI5EC2XZl5-2BaBihF3e-2FZvUWbpesKDlmo2VQLhaEk7M6hRO-2FHBlIG-2BTjT7VkJw709CcEkALVTPDz8y0UzEZs0GoIuPdJHeZARIbFOa9gR6fjMkrPAI6LO9FTom-2BexnSp9GQ4l5mmgXaZ7CsIwtMrheRImxdy5MBp05eji1HpT-2FNeN3hN6rYbIdat8ariKfBzqMjtOAgMDnZCRiHvatebOaiSETOoI2jYpwKKhpJNfNHrF0zx672dz7CsT5YmZ5HXzolBt0R012j2tkbYqtPNOY8oBz1wGPjBnTq9EPST8F-2BW8-2FYikePbYBMDgUMo0nlUeQBC8AZre7rJcTTITJnjl-2BNiFadG9NwKiA-2FxQgjk7VqHqHGjMpXr5hphWufxQss37NhkSCN3PHCfPGELMAyVsuWEKFwhoII57va6Oc-2FP5fsy4s0pxWYIqbY7TFBxC4wv2vIQPbuK-2Ffgk92daVI0JbCyEOx-2BFh5dH28vCEzpcdfxN7krdKp1FgVQ77i4Sezf0l7WnGrdsLMGXrQAqt9yGU-2BRKCi2ifh3BBnB5JbeuGETPkYqxtKSPZi-2BtIy8eF9puF4krxKbkq8cKiKnElAahdVAnleE-2FzQ7bHPiUMu3JZ72gbqCPI5qXrELa9W2-2Fu-2FiJArYirVKXaV8uTZytnN7QZGhEDdUUzOBh5hjtGiUnGFG-2FbedfAFF738UgbctI6-2F6LwvaxUTT-2F3f5-2BYAtNOA3gFIkr0YZI-2Bkp0pooE3R22sTgBSNmdXiivkpApx6Ei-2BDX8-3D3DAA_kFmn947cPXeH4Nw5FKo9qWRARJUhwQXnY03SXbOJmd4fh-2FMf2fOpasllheBrYb-2F8tnjtjNDujBrG4uugreK5OWkDI227pG8YPlYGd-2Boz0WRezRdoSQJc-2FP-2FpAltWiLE9pScP81GIyVR1BztpaUmvq4E4zMoLikDKB7qk7SlL1-2FSGTuq0Bu0R3sCFv0AlEvmdDd75oyZbY7RlObuKy8esCENzQALhVZozv7LMFYFbh6FoAftC2xff7B2RF1o4DyYa8Yk0qnye3e4M7f-2FLTDmb41Sre88XiBBVGOfI8xGJkG97-2FD0XhYt4wg6fI0ygMcU4RnkuCvJp-2FGmWHgxvA8ix-2B09NZaMuyjMcnGo-2FFsPDtVZB0niWZpguf-2FSbdPRwWfez&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ccmilligan%40aha.org%7Ce2604527eb3f4875ea0a08da552477fc%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637915912395382238%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jDbJ5gw8UdYtaVoma4Dn5DzDDHMI494FNLdQQh">www.aha.org</a>.&nbsp; Sun, 20 Jul 2025 13:43:07 -0500 Press Releases Two Programs Recognized As 2025 AHA Circle of Life Award Honorees /press-releases/2025-07-17-two-programs-recognized-2025-aha-circle-life-award-honorees WASHINGTON (July 17, 2025) — Two programs will be honored with the �� Association 2025 Circle of Life Award for their efforts in palliative and end-of-life care. The winning programs are Gilchrist, Baltimore, Md., and Bristol Hospice – Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii. Both winners will receive this prestigious recognition during the AHA’s Leadership Summit in Nashville on July 20-22.The Circle of Life Award honors hospital and palliative care programs that are ensuring equitable access to care, implementing nontraditional models of care delivery and payment, fully integrating palliative care into a system of care or a community, making palliative care financially sustainable, developing meaningful measures and metrics to track progress, or partnering with payers, other providers, community groups and faith communities."This year’s Circle of Life Award honorees have created compassionate and impactful palliative and end-of-life care programs that provide invaluable support to patients and families during their most challenging moments,”&nbsp;said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “These programs are finding innovative ways to provide patients and their families with greater comfort as their disease progresses.”The 2025 honorees are: Gilchrist, Baltimore, Md.Established in 1994 as a hospice in Baltimore, Gilchrist has grown to offer a wide range of services, including palliative care, geriatric primary care, dementia care, hospice care and bereavement support. Gilchrist provides many home-based services and maintains three hospice care facilities. Staff are organized into teams based in six locations, each of which serves a distinct city or county neighborhood. This program makes it easier for patients and families because each location is centered around specific care units and allows for the ability to quickly and effectively transition patients from one program to another. In 2024, Gilchrist was chosen to participate in the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience Model pilot, which seeks to improve care for patients with dementia and their caregivers. In addition, the Maryland Department of Health chose Gilchrist to be part of a coalition that is bringing PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) to West Baltimore City. Bristol Hospice – Hawaii, Honolulu, HawaiiBristol Hospice – Hawaii provides hospice and palliative care to its broad range of patients. By increasing access to palliative care, Bristol Hospice has seen fewer hospital admissions. Similarly, Bristol Hospice has worked with private insurers to show how palliative care can improve disease management and reduce emergency department and hospital utilization. The hospice also created multiple strategies to ensure the growing Medicaid population receives the same level of care as those with private insurance. Another integral part of Bristol Hospice is their Bright Moments program, which is designed to help patients with late-stage dementia reduce agitation. The program reduces the need for medication, after-hours crisis calls and avoidable hospital transfers and ED visits.&nbsp;SponsorsMajor sponsors of the 2025 Circle of Life Award are the �� Association and the Catholic Health Association. The awards are cosponsored by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the Center to Advance Palliative Care, the Hospice &amp; Palliative Nurses Association/the Hospice &amp; Palliative Credentialing Center/the Hospice &amp; Palliative Nurses Foundation, and the National Association of Social Workers.&nbsp; ### About the �� Association (AHA) The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DeDNMJiR1601yOe4MaifqClqdHitT0SBDo6hVejI-2F0uk-3DIBW6_kFmn947cPXeH4Nw5FKo9qWRARJUhwQXnY03SXbOJmd4fh-2FMf2fOpasllheBrYb-2F8tnjtjNDujBrG4uugreK5OWkDI227pG8YPlYGd-2Boz0WRezRdoSQJc-2FP-2FpAltWiLE92K3nooc-2FooQkkdlWTzT4ACRlP9W08ehFw2sv6X87qqF5sGb3sx9-2Fx6xTwk4XAp-2FGGvoCI-2FQl1mnhXdbLIAW-2FHoJZV5J46jZF2Q0hwQW61iKjAIPA4ligeJEG7CjLFTLQD2uNgE3LaomEMOwQCZ60yyEyv-2Bocg3oRDYIfnUCYkn-2FBx6AEywMqTGaQRBxL38CUJdTTGaszhb2vWhV9XQYZyvwNYY3JWq9qfyCpgylq7nHYgHlEEEO-2FvoaiVx090XoO&amp;data=04%7C01%7Ccmilligan%40aha.org%7C3a442c9984df4ea82ab608d913b7d3ee%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637562502528140012%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=X2DZVso3YeFlCEln%2FGHrL9xUhOXWWPkZ8DXib4xi1Lw%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org</a>.&nbsp; Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:55:24 -0500 Press Releases Five Collaborative Programs Earn 2025 AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award /press-releases/2025-07-16-five-collaborative-programs-earn-2025-aha-dick-davidson-nova-award WASHINGTON (July 16, 2025) — The �� Association (AHA) today announced that it will honor five programs with the AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award for their hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health. The winning programs are the Community Resource Center, Endeavor Health, Evanston, Ill.; iHeart Collaborative, IU Health, Indianapolis, Ind.; Community Behavioral Health Workforce Development Program, Mass General Brigham, Boston, Mass.; Food Rx Program, MedStar Health, Baltimore, Md.; and Healthy Moms, Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, N.Y.The AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award recognizes hospitals and health systems for their collaborative efforts toward improving community health status, whether through health care, economic or social initiatives. Honorees participate in joint efforts among health care systems or hospitals, or among hospitals and other community leaders and organizations. This year’s recipients will be recognized at the AHA Leadership Summit July 20-22 in Nashville, Tenn.“This year’s Dick Davidson NOVA award honorees are leading the way with programs to create healthier communities,”&nbsp;said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “The collaborative efforts between these hospitals and local partners have demonstrated how hospitals are reaching outside the four walls to effectively meet the needs of patients and advance health.”The 2025 winning programs and hospital partners are: Community Resource CenterEndeavor Health, Evanston, Ill.The Community Resource Center (CRC), located in Palatine, Ill., empowers individuals and families by providing a wide range of services and resources, including health and wellness support, education and literacy programs, employment opportunities, food and clothing distribution, counseling and youth development programs. This one-stop-shop was established in 1998, and the center continuously adapts to meet the changing needs of the community, ensuring it remains a vital resource. For example, when a health clinic moved to a new location outside the CRC in 2019, the CRC converted the space into a food bank and clothing closet to extend these free resources to more than 85,000 people annually to address the social drivers of health. In 2022, Endeavor Health invested over $1 million to renovate the facility, further demonstrating its dedication to maintaining and growing the CRC’s impact.iHEART CollaborativeIU Health, Indianapolis, Ind.The Indianapolis Health Equity, Access, Outreach and Treatment (iHEART) Collaborative was launched in September of 2022 to improve cardiovascular health in communities with higher rates of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality along with social and structural impediments to health. The program has several key components, which include free blood pressure screenings, cardiovascular education and virtual medication management. The iHEART Collaborative has successfully integrated screenings, interventions and models to create a scalable framework for reducing cardiovascular disease-related health inequities. From September 2022 to September 2024, 4,048 blood pressure screenings were conducted through the program, 77% (3,135) of which were in community settings. Among the individuals screened, 39% had elevated blood pressure, and nearly 30% had not been previously diagnosed with hypertension. Of the individuals referred for follow-up care, 94.6% completed it. These findings underscore the value of community-based, whole-person approaches in identifying at-risk individuals, improving cardiovascular health and advancing the health of communities.Community Behavioral Health Workforce Development ProgramMass General Brigham, Boston, Mass.Mass General Brigham’s Community Behavioral Health Workforce Development Program was established in January of 2022 to expand capacity for equitable mental health care across Massachusetts. With a limited number of mental health providers in the area and in school settings, long wait lists and very few mental health services for children, Mass General Brigham partnered with thirteen community-based agencies and schools of higher education to develop innovative programs to serve as blueprints for how the state can address mental health needs. The collaborative partnership has been highly effective and already has met its five-year-goal of supporting 835 students across several academic disciplines.Food Rx ProgramMedStar Health, Baltimore, Md.The Food Rx Program started in 2021, building upon MedStar Health’s efforts to address food insecurity and its impact on chronic disease within underserved populations. The program seeks to provide patients with the tools and resources needed to better manage their health conditions, reduce hospitalizations and improve overall well-being. Offering medically tailored proteins and non-perishables, regular deliveries of healthy produce and personalized nutrition education, it has empowered participants to adopt healthier lifestyles. Food Rx’s collaboration with community-based organizations, local farms and food distributors has ensured that participants receive fresh, seasonal and culturally relevant foods. Food Rx is addressing immediate health needs while creating a long-term framework for improving health equity in the Baltimore region.Healthy MomsRochester Regional Health, Rochester, N.Y.The Healthy Moms program began in 1998 to create a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers pregnant and parenting individuals to reach their highest potential. When an individual enters the program, the staff develops a customized plan of care that can include addressing and removing barriers to care, reducing behavioral health symptoms and increasing health literacy. The program offers childbirth/pregnancy education, parenting classes, behavioral health treatment, care management, job training, a community food pantry and much more. Healthy Moms has become an integral part of the city of Rochester with improved birth outcomes and featuring multiple services under one roof in a friendly and welcoming environment. ### About the �� Association (AHA) The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DeDNMJiR1601yOe4MaifqClqdHitT0SBDo6hVejI-2F0uk-3DIBW6_kFmn947cPXeH4Nw5FKo9qWRARJUhwQXnY03SXbOJmd4fh-2FMf2fOpasllheBrYb-2F8tnjtjNDujBrG4uugreK5OWkDI227pG8YPlYGd-2Boz0WRezRdoSQJc-2FP-2FpAltWiLE92K3nooc-2FooQkkdlWTzT4ACRlP9W08ehFw2sv6X87qqF5sGb3sx9-2Fx6xTwk4XAp-2FGGvoCI-2FQl1mnhXdbLIAW-2FHoJZV5J46jZF2Q0hwQW61iKjAIPA4ligeJEG7CjLFTLQD2uNgE3LaomEMOwQCZ60yyEyv-2Bocg3oRDYIfnUCYkn-2FBx6AEywMqTGaQRBxL38CUJdTTGaszhb2vWhV9XQYZyvwNYY3JWq9qfyCpgylq7nHYgHlEEEO-2FvoaiVx090XoO&amp;data=04%7C01%7Ccmilligan%40aha.org%7C3a442c9984df4ea82ab608d913b7d3ee%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637562502528140012%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=X2DZVso3YeFlCEln%2FGHrL9xUhOXWWPkZ8DXib4xi1Lw%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org</a>.&nbsp; Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:22:36 -0500 Press Releases AHA Statement on CY 2026 OPPS Proposed Rule /press-releases/2025-07-15-aha-statement-cy-2026-opps-proposed-rule Ashley Thompson Senior Vice President, Public Policy Analysis and Development �� AssociationJuly 15, 2025The AHA is disappointed that CMS proposes an inadequate Medicare outpatient hospital payment update as many hospitals — especially those in rural and underserved communities — operate under challenging financial pressures.We oppose the proposal to expand “site-neutral” cuts and eliminate the inpatient-only list, as both policies fail to account for the real and crucial differences between hospital outpatient departments and other sites of care. Studies show hospital outpatient departments are more likely to serve Medicare patients who are sicker, more clinically complex, and more likely to be disabled or living in poorer, rural communities than patients treated in independent physician offices.We are also concerned with CMS’ proposal to claw back billions of dollars from hospitals at a far faster rate than originally promised.&nbsp;It is important to remember that this clawback punishes 340B hospitals for the agency’s own mistake in implementing a policy that a unanimous Supreme Court held to be unlawful.&nbsp;Doubling down on that unlawfulness, the proposed recoupment is both illegal and unwise, and it should not be finalized.Finally, we are concerned about the proposal to pursue a burdensome acquisition cost survey, especially if the agency’s goal is to drastically reduce Medicare payments to hospitals that serve the nation’s most vulnerable communities.We look forward to reviewing these proposals in more detail and participating in the comment process with the agency.&nbsp;### Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:52:32 -0500 Press Releases AHA Honors Two Exemplary Health Systems For Their Dedication and Commitment to Quality /press-releases/2025-07-15-aha-honors-two-exemplary-health-systems-their-dedication-and-commitment-quality WASHINGTON&nbsp;(July 15, 2025) — The �� Association (AHA) today announced that Hartford HealthCare in Hartford, Conn., is the 2025 recipient of the AHA Quest for Quality Prize. CommonSpirit Health in Chicago has been named a finalist. The winners will receive this prestigious recognition during the AHA’s Leadership Summit in Nashville, July 20-22.The AHA Quest for Quality Prize is presented annually to recognize exceptional health care leadership and innovation in improving quality and advancing health in America’s communities. The AHA Quest for Quality Prize was first awarded in 2002.“This year’s winners of the AHA’s Quest for Quality are role models for excellence in patient care for the entire hospital field,”&nbsp;said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “They have demonstrated a deep dedication to creating a culture enabling quality practices to flourish while connecting with their communities through new approaches, techniques and technologies.”Prize Winner: Hartford HealthCare — Hartford, Conn. Hartford HealthCare is a nonprofit health system composed of eight hospitals in urban, suburban and rural areas as well as 445 ambulatory clinics, 78 outpatient care centers, three outpatient behavioral health care sites and several other facilities that in total serve 2.2 million outpatient visits annually. The recognition comes as a result of Hartford HealthCare’s sweeping transformation over the past decade — one that reflects a deep cultural shift toward continuous improvement, patient safety, health equity and system-wide innovation.Hartford HealthCare’s mantra, “the best at getting better,” is evident in the entire health care system’s unwavering commitment to excellence in health care, emphasis on teamwork, high-reliability training and a deeply ingrained quality methodology. Hartford HealthCare demonstrates strong leadership involvement in quality through a series of impactful programs reinforcing a culture of safety, accountability and patient-centered care. Every leadership meeting begins with a patient’s story that shapes systemwide learnings. The “Safety Starts with Me” messaging and the prominent “You Are Not Alone” signage serve as visible reminders of the health system’s goal to ensure that every individual — whether a patient, team member or visitor — feels supported and empowered.Hartford HealthCare has successfully embedded a culture of continuous improvement at every level of the organization, making learning and innovation central to its mission. A strong commitment to Lean methodology ensures that every employee, regardless of role, has the tools and training necessary to drive outcome-based goals and actively contribute to process improvement.The system’s efforts have led to impressive accomplishments such as a 70% reduction in health care-acquired infections from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, team members showed a 48% increase in reporting potential safety events from 2021 to 2023, a testament to Hartford HealthCare’s positive safety culture.Finalist: CommonSpirit Health — Chicago CommonSpirit Health comprises 157 hospitals, including acute, critical access, academic medical centers and specialty hospitals. Its network spans 24 states, offering care at more than 2,200 sites including ambulatory clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, urgent care centers and surgical centers. This nonprofit health system delivers more than 20 million outpatient visits a year.CommonSpirit Health is deeply committed to being a high-performing organization as evident by mission-driven leadership, well-executed systemwide governance structure, dedication to community partnerships, and a culture of patient-centered care and continuous improvement. Patient and family involvement is encouraged in designing the total care experience, including initiatives to meet special physical, psychological, development, cultural and spiritual needs.CommonSpirit Health fosters a culture welcoming and incentivizing innovation from any staff member such as ideas to effectively implement advanced analytics or strategies for improving communication with patients and care givers.When a system-level quality or safety priority is identified, CommonSpirit uses an eight-step process to cascade changes throughout all of its hospitals. The process has been used on nearly 20 metrics to elevate system performance to the top third or better of the national median. For example, when leaders in CommonSpirit’s Pacific Northwest region saw success with artificial intelligence-enabled tools that notify a provider — before a patient visit — which cancer screenings should be ordered, CommonSpirit began rolling out the technology across the system. When an opportunity is identified where no national benchmark exists, CommonSpirit leverages its size to develop internal benchmarks — an approach that improved maternal health outcomes by analyzing systemwide data and implementing solutions resulting in demonstrable achievements related to hypertension and eclampsia.The <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.7kr010ACWZRfM3MOuCoTb8G-2FCXc0p0zZUtmrFEUZqHFHe60dhCXZmdZXfzlHez1Ky6k40f-2BELaGEudUM-2F4-2BqzA-3D-3DmGB9_d2RbcZIH1cPr8T71lfy9-2Baax-2F-2BEajmJ1xBQdwzrxSfXYrczhBuOKN0y9-2Fz7LWn8-2BDbxbRMmISA8VWYgeVYMYLehFbJjjJrsDU061vryWib5OgupGu7XbukALgR8dzkZgPRzW5-2FRTImVnoYzNxvBQkQRRLAqxZ36J0DP6a2D0HH7rtdRizmuKVUiSIh5oGbphbifUymsi4WzEiW-2BHucDYfaaXJQRL8siHIaAZjCGV8UUg2UwIQgPuNebrRxcknAPYU-2BKXR15d38wfIeFP-2Fglnflr7jyNdO0jUag53zR7EOnm2ya2jYgOLG1qYbMisfo-2FlJ-2FbvZIs9-2B6o-2B-2F9QGwu2UKpuwLtR5XoF0vYsBA-2B-2BXI1QQwY6Hy6gYYybuDZnc3kpK&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbteicher%40aha.org%7Cfbb130c989b242c4992b08ddc3b00e85%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638881883115398244%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=rR%2F9%2Fg7JJs%2F5Atxgwz7ScjptXlGo9hYuq1sNWlQeqvs%3D&amp;reserved=0">AHA Quest for Quality prize</a> is sponsored by Laerdal Medical, a global leader in health care simulation. Laerdal partners with hospital organizations to help improve individual clinical skills and team performance through immersive educational experiences. Incorporating Analytic Insight to identify areas of opportunity and identify potential latent patient safety threats, Laerdal works with clinicians across the care continuum.&nbsp;&nbsp;###&nbsp;About the AHAThe AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.7kr010ACWZRfM3MOuCoTb4j1A7dsWuFv5c9nef7CCBE-3DWBBp_d2RbcZIH1cPr8T71lfy9-2Baax-2F-2BEajmJ1xBQdwzrxSfXYrczhBuOKN0y9-2Fz7LWn8-2BDbxbRMmISA8VWYgeVYMYLehFbJjjJrsDU061vryWib5OgupGu7XbukALgR8dzkZgPRzW5-2FRTImVnoYzNxvBQkQRRLAqxZ36J0DP6a2D0HH7rtdRizmuKVUiSIh5oGbphbifUymsi4WzEiW-2BHucDYfRr3QGHK2Ua1ZZEl3LSBiGmLmvLh20Tv9hbxVlmrt-2BjWtOi6cqIQJPbe6eem4EPtr5poNMSvsNocWjLtoCNE1UU7y1OeXGq-2FDXse2ztNrl-2BBVQx54xPKm-2F4XVdQRKNEwAG4vy-2BPgN5tO7hE30ZsynwjHv-2Btpda8ZQSKe8DHne-2Fz3&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbteicher%40aha.org%7Cfbb130c989b242c4992b08ddc3b00e85%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638881883115581072%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=u%2BCxAPSI7XtM0jSbdQUFR8pU%2Bs3wLA9QBh32SM4MJl4%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org</a>. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:17:33 -0500 Press Releases Fairview Health Services Awarded The 2025 AHA Foster G. McGaw Prize /press-releases/2025-07-14-fairview-health-services-awarded-2025-aha-foster-g-mcgaw-prize WASHINGTON (July 14, 2025) – The �� Association (AHA) announced today that Fairview Health Services in Minnesota is the 2025 winner of the AHA’s Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. Fairview is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit health system founded in 1853. Fairview provides exceptional care to patients and communities as one of the most comprehensive and geographically accessible systems in Minnesota, with 10 hospitals and medical centers and over 34,000 employees serving the greater Twin Cities metro area and north-central Minnesota.The Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International, and is administered by the AHA. The prize is given annually to a health care organization that has shown exceptional commitment to community health and developing innovative partnerships with community organizations to address societal factors influencing health and improving access to high quality safe health care for all.&nbsp;Fairview will be recognized at the AHA Leadership Summit in Nashville on July 21 and receive $100,000 toward programs that further the Prize’s goals.“Each and every day, Fairview Health Services collaborates with a range of community partners to help Minnesotans reach their full health potential,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “From addressing food insecurity to providing free clinical services in community settings to helping neighbors navigate the health care system, Fairview’s community outreach programs serve as a national model to the hospital field.”&nbsp;“The Baxter Foundation congratulates Fairview Health Services for its outstanding commitment to delivering high-quality care to the Twin Cities community," said Verónica Arroyave, vice president, Corporate Responsibility &amp; Global Philanthropy and executive director, Baxter Foundation. "We are honored to support Fairview’s efforts and continue our partnership with AHA to make a meaningful difference for patients and communities across the U.S.""This recognition is a testament to Fairview’s deep roots in the community and the unwavering dedication of our entire system&nbsp;— all 34,000 people that make up Fairview&nbsp;— to advancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said James Hereford, president and CEO of Fairview. “We are honored to be the 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize recipient, and by the recognition of our commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the care, resources, and opportunities they need to live a healthy life."&nbsp;&nbsp; Fairview’s strong initiatives include:<ul><li>The Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI) — a multisector, collaborative created and led by Fairview and supported by more than 250 community partners — provides free clinical services and vaccinations in trusted settings. The program's success is due to strong and lasting partnerships with multiple faith-based and grassroots community organizations, along with local public health agencies. MINI clinics are held in community-based settings such as local churches, mosques, schools, community centers, food pantries, and homeless shelters.</li><li>The East Side Health and Well-being Collaborative (ESHWBC) was formed in 2015 to address community-identified barriers to health and well-being. The collaborative is made up of nearly two dozen organizations, with Fairview serving as the convener and funder, and aims to achieve widespread wellbeing for all in the East Side of St. Paul.</li><li>First launched in 2016 by Fairview as Veggie Rx, the Food is Medicine initiative uses the healing power of food to nourish patients and communities. Now known as Fair Table, the program is far reaching — from administering universal food insecurity screening in clinics and distributing locally sourced food to participating in broader community collaborations and engaging in policy solutions. Fairview is committed to improving health outcomes through addressing food access for their neighbors.</li><li>Health Commons are drop-in health and wellness centers that Fairview began in 2011 and are dedicated to serving those in three underserved neighborhoods in the community. Services include drop-in hours where a nurse or doctor is available for one-on-one consultation; massage and aromatherapy; nurse-led or peer-led addiction counseling; healthy living classes on topics such as nutrition, exercise, chronic disease, and emotional health; and produce distribution, food boxes, and community gardens.</li><li>Fairview developed the Cultural Brokers program in partnership with the ESHWBC to address the community’s identified need for responsive support. Cultural brokers are people who understand healing and health from their community’s perspective. They help bridge gaps by translating and supporting people as they navigate health care, schools, and other systems to ultimately build self-sufficiency.</li></ul>&nbsp;2025 Finalists&nbsp; Three Foster G. McGaw Prize finalists are also recognized for their community health programs and will each receive $10,000. These finalists include:<ul><li>Inova Health in Northern Virginia&nbsp;for its:<ul><li>Inova Juniper Program (IJP) —Virginia’s largest provider for HIV/AIDS health care and services.</li><li>Inova Cares — primary and specialty care safety net clinics located in communities of need and serving women, families, and children who have Medicaid coverage, are uninsured, or qualify for Inova charity care.</li><li>Partnership for Healthier Communities (PHC) — links uninsured children and adults with affordable insurance options.</li><li>Inova Forensic Consultation and Assessment Team (FACT) — Northern Virginia’s only provider of specialized forensic medical evaluation services for children and adults that have experienced domestic/intimate partner violence and child abuse.</li><li>Inova Medical House Calls (IMHC) — provides in-home primary care to indigent, homebound adults ages 65 and over.&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li>LifeBridge Health in Baltimore for its:<ul><li>Center for Hope — A first-of-its-kind integrated program that works with perpetrators and victims of violence to break the cycle of violence and reduce its impact in communities throughout central Maryland.</li><li>Comprehensive Diabetes Programs — Strengthening wrap-around diabetes care by linking services across their health care facilities to systematically address challenges faced by community members with this complex disease. This has included providing healthy food delivery, virtual medication management, transportation to appointments, and longitudinal care coordination.</li><li>Care Happens Here Mobile Unit — Breaking down transportation, affordability, insurance, and other barriers to health care by bringing a mobile doctor’s office to their region’s underserved neighborhoods.</li><li>Access Carroll — Providing no-cost care to 16,000 residents in Caroll County and connecting them to a variety of medical and social resources.</li><li>Community Pastoral Outreach — Collaborating with dozens of churches, synagogues, and other faith-based groups to reach community members with health education and screening initiatives.</li></ul>&nbsp;</li><li>Rush University System for Health in Chicago for its:<ul><li>Rush Education and Career Hub program that provides academic enrichment, mentoring and internship opportunities that help local youth get and stay on health care career paths.</li><li>Rush Community Service Initiatives Program that empowers students, faculty, residents, fellows and staff to use their talents to make a difference in their community.</li><li>Nursing Faculty Practice in the College of Nursing that moves nursing-led health care services into the communities Rush serves.</li><li>Veteran and Family Outreach through the Road Home Program that provides free mental health care to thousands of military veterans and their families.</li><li>The Anchor Mission commitment channels the economic benefits of how Rush hires, purchases and invests to improve the economic vitality — and thus health — of the communities Rush serves.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;About the Foster G. McGaw Prize The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes health care organizations that are committed to community service through a range of programs that demonstrate a passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier and more vital. The prize, first awarded in 1986, inspires hospitals, health systems and communities to assess and co-create programs that improve their communities. It is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation and administered by the �� Association (AHA). For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.AWYI5A29nC1FIK4DnK8gygnTPMR1ejNuJXG6MuV8HtiRItvgwqwXYAaKxK-2BN8oQhvsnn_d2RbcZIH1cPr8T71lfy9-2Baax-2F-2BEajmJ1xBQdwzrxSfXYrczhBuOKN0y9-2Fz7LWn8-2BDbxbRMmISA8VWYgeVYMYLehFbJjjJrsDU061vryWib5OgupGu7XbukALgR8dzkZgeEotQ7AbG9f-2FQJp2seZWlIivPBIknfI6lrxFU79WKgIv09VbJp04APUTHoHngCeTblWNTLGXY6VMb-2BCdePgxfDGHSVvJK7EkwUS-2F4knTgBBuDbL9mmqkiNYqFlGFq68ZAP1e7-2BKdVQ31bmavxyS6-2FoXGmLYP8Ewm4kTy-2FY7uOGvOh2488-2FRO7SdYsp4q30oD4kKusnOXj8CLWCsfDyvF9M0fTk4F060EZ-2BW0tVFBjYmJ25Zm27dHqAoNL-2FAw5h1f&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbteicher%40aha.org%7Ca9abd77349554a24d2ed08ddc2e87058%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638881025756717447%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ZFZQHXqEEutKPw7AqrXZNycVU7%2BfjdyUM4prnPg8TbA%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org/fostermcgaw</a>.&nbsp; About the �� Association The �� Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners — including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers — and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.7kr010ACWZRfM3MOuCoTb4j1A7dsWuFv5c9nef7CCBE-3DDJAY_d2RbcZIH1cPr8T71lfy9-2Baax-2F-2BEajmJ1xBQdwzrxSfXYrczhBuOKN0y9-2Fz7LWn8-2BDbxbRMmISA8VWYgeVYMYLehFbJjjJrsDU061vryWib5OgupGu7XbukALgR8dzkZgeEotQ7AbG9f-2FQJp2seZWlIivPBIknfI6lrxFU79WKgIv09VbJp04APUTHoHngCeTblWNTLGXY6VMb-2BCdePgxfPxq15dvxeUGBrlry2I5A2SFpvW-2BuB9AQ3D6gqpBMkXQnL7bcSn4rMhoBI5aGoMrzbPzHIPGr2ndvSVvayAynMjS1ih6C8NIKtuu6o0nFe1PGyudseuMjofPxTQdUETPKVsmxgHwD5TQKSooTJ6UoVs4KYSoXLW33UrV3pdEU-2FVr&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbteicher%40aha.org%7Ca9abd77349554a24d2ed08ddc2e87058%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638881025756738445%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=1%2FHVXGHWG60TYouM1YNvJjGzGI31T01Uo1SJlL1JKr4%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aha.org</a>. About the Baxter Foundation Every day, Baxter and the Baxter Foundation strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who depend on our products, and in the communities where our employees live and work. The Foundation helps advance Baxter’s mission to Save and Sustain Lives by partnering with organizations around the world to increase access to healthcare for the underserved, develop the next generation of innovators who will lead the way in advancing healthcare and to create a positive, long-lasting impact in communities globally. The Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation and administered by the �� Association (AHA). For more information, please visit <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3Du001.7kr010ACWZRfM3MOuCoTb3oryMTB6kO95Eca3o7K4R3f5LrTh1h2p-2FIdDEy-2Fsgeapcj4UmnC5Yq2jtXHBI6PGS98f7417ucNz-2BkD-2Fg3gX6M-3DxEcM_d2RbcZIH1cPr8T71lfy9-2Baax-2F-2BEajmJ1xBQdwzrxSfXYrczhBuOKN0y9-2Fz7LWn8-2BDbxbRMmISA8VWYgeVYMYLehFbJjjJrsDU061vryWib5OgupGu7XbukALgR8dzkZgeEotQ7AbG9f-2FQJp2seZWlIivPBIknfI6lrxFU79WKgIv09VbJp04APUTHoHngCeTblWNTLGXY6VMb-2BCdePgxfIypHu6exU-2FrGVhgcZRm-2FrYoo1-2F0ymZu6mRUfR-2Fi8OtS4pFCI73Bf4KKYIdZqhw3JINV-2FiB-2Baq9IyBlRKGQFsigzODpQGFJQLeFaIPCs51ITphazv0mcSYwgvBVKEMn4Y8F5tDFTn2Yeo4H8mOsvx2qjcFHXe-2B0iK-2BkUO-2FBmiK8j&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cbteicher%40aha.org%7Ca9abd77349554a24d2ed08ddc2e87058%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C638881025756754741%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=S4QdHDo3yuiimvaYeIN0lkZPPeutE0h%2BpEvZj2x0pBY%3D&amp;reserved=0">Baxter’s Corporate Responsibility page</a>. Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:36:43 -0500 Press Releases AHA Statement on House Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act /press-releases/2025-07-03-aha-statement-house-passage-one-big-beautiful-bill-act <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2>Rick Pollack President and CEO �� Association &nbsp;</h2><h2>July 3, 2025</h2>Today is an extremely disappointing and very difficult day for health care in America. Despite months of clearly demonstrating the implications that these Medicaid proposals will have on the patients and communities we serve, especially the most vulnerable populations, Congress has enacted cuts of nearly a trillion dollars to the Medicaid program. No matter how often repeated, the magnitude of these reductions — and the number of individuals who will lose health coverage –- cannot be simply dismissed as waste, fraud, and abuse. The faces of Medicaid include our children, our disabled, our seniors, our veterans, our neighbors, and friends. The real-life consequences of these reductions will negatively impact access to care for all Americans.The AHA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to mitigate the impact of these cuts wherever possible. Our goal is to help ensure hospitals can remain open for their communities, and people can get the care they need when they need it. Our nation’s health and economic future depend on it.###</div><div class="col-md-4">&nbsp;</div></div></div> Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:21:02 -0500 Press Releases AHA Statement on Senate Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act /press-releases/2025-07-01-aha-statement-senate-passage-one-big-beautiful-bill-act Rick Pollack President and CEO �� AssociationJuly 1, 2025We are deeply disappointed by today’s vote in the United States Senate to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). The real-life consequences of these nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts – the largest ever proposed by Congress – will result in irreparable harm to our health care system, reducing access to care for all Americans and severely undermining the ability of hospitals and health systems to care for our most vulnerable patients.This legislation will cause 11.8 million Americans to be displaced from their health care coverage as they move from insured to uninsured status. It also will drive up uncompensated care for hospitals and health systems, which will affect their ability to serve all patients. It will force hospitals to make service line reductions and staff reductions, resulting in longer waiting times in emergency departments and for other essential services, and could ultimately lead to facility closures, especially in rural and underserved areas.&nbsp;We urge the House to mitigate this legislation and protect access to health care for patients and communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;### Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:16:29 -0500 Press Releases