Philadelphia FIGHT Receives National Healthcare Award from Health Industry Leaders 

Healthcare Leadership Council Honors Philadelphia FIGHT with the Redefining American Healthcare Award

PHILADELPHIA – The Healthcare Leadership Council honored Philadelphia FIGHT with the Redefining American Healthcare Award in a virtual ceremony on Thursday, December 16.

Philadelphia FIGHT is a comprehensive health services organization providing primary care, consumer education, research, and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk. Since its inception, FIGHT has focused on providing quality care to the underserved as well as educating and empowering the people who take part in its many programs.

Jane Shull, Chief Executive Officer, offers that Philadelphia FIGHT’s mission is to provide the underserved, including people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk access not only to healthcare, but to healthcare that will meet their needs as they define them, and treat everyone who comes through the doors with dignity and respect. Shull continued, “We are beyond grateful for the recognition of the Healthcare Leadership Council for our work. Knowing that our work has been seen gives us energy in these difficult times to continue to serve.”

Debbie Witchey, Healthcare Leadership Council’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, commended the organization’s commitment to closing gaps in care. “Philadelphia FIGHT has addressed the stark reality of variations in health outcomes for marginalized communities. Not only is this group changing the lives of people who are living with HIV/AIDS, but it is also building meaningful relationships throughout the community to ensure that it is meeting the complex needs of each individual it serves.”

Congressman Brendan Boyle, who was present for the virtual event, told the audience, “I have faith that we will see in our lifetime Philadelphia FIGHT come full circle in the fight against AIDS and that Philadelphia FIGHT will still be around to see AIDS eradicated… Groups like Philadelphia FIGHT are needed not just in our community but frankly nationwide.”

“I applaud Philadelphia FIGHT for being a light in its community and tackling the health inequities it sees firsthand,” said Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon in a video recording. “This award is well-deserved and organizations like this one need to be in the spotlight more often so that their methods and best practices can be shared with similar communities experiencing the same struggles.”

Congressman Dwight Evans stated in a video recorded for the ceremony, “Congratulations to Philadelphia FIGHT for being chosen to receive this award. I’m encouraged to see organizations like yours make such an impact.”

The Healthcare Leadership Council created the Redefining American Healthcare Award to recognize best practices and programs in communities and organizations across the nation that optimize care for vulnerable patients. Award recipients are organizations developing and activating cost-effective, measurable community programs promoting a patient-centered approach to care that considers outside social factors to achieve the best outcomes.

A video of the virtual presentation of the award can be found here

For Immediate Release
December 17, 2021
Contact: Kelly Fernandez  202-449-3452