Redefining American Healthcare Award

HLC created the Redefining American Healthcare Award to draw attention to existing initiatives that effectively address and improve health inequities. Examples of programs include those addressing broadband access, behavioral health, social determinants of health, vaccine readiness, reducing disparities in care delivery, and increasing workforce and clinical trial diversity. These innovative approaches provide an avenue to scale and replicate in other communities, improving upon best practices nationwide.

Non‐HLC member organizations of any size from the governmental, public, or private sectors (or a partnership that combines multiple sectors) are especially encouraged to apply.

The program or intervention must demonstrate:

• Cost‐effectiveness
• Evidence‐based foundation
• Measurable results (outcomes metrics are preferred, but process metrics will also be considered)
• Replicability

Interested organizations should contact Kelly Fernandez (kfernandez@hlc.org) for more information on how to apply.

HLC Redefining American Healthcare Award Recipients:

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a grantee of the Department of Education’s Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP), and the Health Education in Rural Oklahoma for Employment Success (HEROES) Project goal is to increase the number of students in the STEM field, particularly in the healthcare pipeline. This project has been successful in increasing the awareness in secondary students of careers in healthcare, while actively working to enroll post-secondary students into healthcare training programs for employment. HEROES provides direct aid to students through financial support, academic support, and employment assistance.
– Press Release

University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI)
The Healthcare Leadership Council honored the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI) with its Redefining American Healthcare Award at a ceremony in Ann Arbor on November 3, 2023. IHPI is the nation’s largest university-based community of health services researchers, uniting nearly 700 faculty members across many U-M schools, colleges and campuses. IHPI helps these faculty members from diverse disciplines work together to study complex and timely health challenges and the impacts of health policies at the local, state and federal level. IHPI seeks to foster innovative, interdisciplinary research that can inform policies and practices in ways that advance the equity, quality, safety and affordability of healthcare, and improve health for individuals, families, and communities.
– Press release

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS)
On October 20th, 2023, the Healthcare Leadership Council presented Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) with the Redefining American Healthcare Award at a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee. Committed to the health and well-being of its employees, MNPS has taken steps to remove access and cost barriers for its teachers and staff. At no out-of-pocket cost to the employees, the school system partnered with Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions to offer MyHealth Bundles to address high-cost, high-incidence conditions such as weight loss, maternity care, hip and knee surgery, hip and knee osteoarthritis, shoulder pain, select spine surgeries, cochlear implants, kidney stones, and substance use disorder.
– Press release

TESCO Specialty Vehicles
On June 28, 2023 the Healthcare Leadership Council presented TESCO Specialty Vehicles with the Redefining American Healthcare Award at a ceremony in Toledo, Ohio. TESCO, a family-owned business, is one of the country’s largest and most successful bus distributors. TESCO Specialty Vehicles provides customers specialized vehicles at industry leading speed that improve equitable access to services in all types of communities. These include mobile medical clinics, dental clinics, command centers, libraries, and testing or blood draw clinics. The mobile units have been used to reach various groups such as veterans who are home bound and unable to travel for the medical exams necessary to determine VA benefits.
– Press release
– Photos
– Award Ceremony recording
– Award Ceremony highlight reel

Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM)
The Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative was presented with the Redefining American Healthcare Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles on April 12, 2023. The AAIMM Prevention Initiative is a countywide coalition dedicated to addressing the disproportionately high rates of Black infant and maternal deaths and ensuring healthy and joyous births for Black families in L.A. County. AAIMM implements a variety of evidence-based programs such as Preconception Health, Group Prenatal Care, Fatherhood Initiative, the Village Fund, and doula program.
– Press release
– Photos

Palmetto Care Connections
On February 15, 2023, the Healthcare Leadership Council presented Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) with the Redefining American Healthcare Award. PCC is a telehealth network that assists health care providers in connecting rural and underserved South Carolinians to quality services through broadband, technology and telehealth programs. For rural members, PCC facilitates low-cost, high capacity digital bandwidth that enhances all aspects of communications. Solidifying itself as an essential part of the community, PCC also provides digital device training on tablets, laptops, and more.
– Press release
– Photos
– Video

Colorado Equity Compass
The Healthcare Leadership Council presented the Colorado Equity Compass with the Redefining American Healthcare award on October 26, 2022. The CEC is a partnership between four organizations: Change Matrix, The Colorado Health Institute, Consume & Create, and funded by The Colorado Trust. It works to provide changemakers and communities with the stories, data, and resources they need to improve the lives of all Colorado residents. These groups recognize the challenges all communities face in areas such as health equity, cultural competency, social determinants of health, and making information digestible and understandable.
– Press release
– Photos

Nevada Cultural Competency
On October 24, 2022, the Healthcare Leadership Council honored Nevada Cultural Competency for its training offered to healthcare facilities which focuses on the improvement of cultural awareness, inclusivity, and quality care delivery statewide. This training was created to specifically educate healthcare providers about respecting and treating unique individuals from all backgrounds in order to improve quality of care and effectively address the needs of all patients. Bolstering cultural competency and ensuring health professionals can interact successfully with patients results in better outcomes for patients and more satisfaction for the healthcare workforce.
– Press release
– Video

Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation
On June 6, 2022, CISCRP was celebrated by the Healthcare Leadership Council and BMS for promoting engagement and partnership between clinical research professionals, patients, and the public. This organization dedicated to educating and informing the public, patients, medical/research communities, the media, and policy makers about clinical research and the role each party plays in the process. Its work to strategically improve health literacy in targeted communities while working to build trust in the process has resulted in greater diversity in participation of clinical research trials.
– Press release
– Video

Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council
The Healthcare Leadership Council presented ATIC with the Redefining American Healthcare award on June 1, 2022 for its work to expand broadband by facilitating collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among key public, private and nonprofit stakeholders. This group provides expertise to effectively guide telecommunications and digital technology policy development and deployment in the state of Arizona. ATIC developed a statewide COVID-19 digital access strategy to support, schools, universities, community colleges, students, homes, libraries, health care facilities, businesses and communities.
– Press release
– Virtual Ceremony

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders
The Healthcare Leadership Council honored the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders at the University of Chicago Medicine with the Redefining American Healthcare Award in a virtual ceremony on Thursday, February 3, 2022. The Memory Center is staffed by a committed team of highly trained neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and specialized nurses to ensure seamless, thorough care for dementia and memory loss patients. Evaluations are tailored to each patient, and the Center provides ongoing support and care throughout the course of the disease.
– Press release

Heart of Florida Health Center
On January 25, 2022, the Healthcare Leadership Council honored HFHC for its innovative work in integrating medical, dental and mental health services while providing accessibility to area residents who may lack health insurance and have limited financial means. Heart of Florida utilizes a behavioral health counselor as part of each patient’s primary care team and offers mental health services both in-person and virtually. Representative Daniel Webster (R/FL) took part in the ceremony and recognized the organization as a critical resource to the community.
– Press release
– photos

Philadelphia Fight
On December 16, 2021, HLC honored Philadelphia FIGHT for its comprehensive health services. Recognizing disparities in care delivery, this organization stepped in to fill unmet needs and has expanded its offerings in a holistic approach to healthcare for the underserved in its community. Philadelphia FIGHT has tackled care variations successfully within its community and improved overall health outcomes. Here is a video of the virtual ceremony.
– Press release
– photo

Meharry Medical College
On December 9, 2021, HLC, with Representative Jim Cooper (D/TN), honored Meharry Medical College for its diligence in training the next generation of healthcare providers. The college has increased workforce diversity for decades, overcoming disparities and improving health outcomes for minority populations. Here is a video of the virtual ceremony.
– Press release
– photo

Lazarex Cancer Foundation was honored with the Redefining American Healthcare Award during a virtual ceremony on Zoom on August 24, 2021. The Lazarex Cancer Foundation created programs which work to provide equitable and timely access to cancer discovery for all patients. One major focus is identifying FDA clinical trial options, providing assistance with out-of-pocket costs for clinical trial participation and a travel companion, and facilitating community outreach and engagement.
– Press release
– photo

Care Ring
Care Ring, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was honored in a virtual ceremony on August 9, 2021. Care Ring’s services are grouped into three programs – Low-Cost Clinic, Physicians Reach Out, and Nurse-Family Partnership. Care Ring is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing health services for the uninsured, underinsured or those lacking access to affordable, high-quality preventive health care. The organization annually serves more than 7,000 people in Mecklenburg County and is a leader in collaborative efforts to improve community health.
– Press release
– photo

Partners in Care Foundation
The Partners in Care Foundation (PICF) received the award virtually on October 22, 2020.  The organization works to shape the evolving health system by developing and spreading high-value models of community-based care and self-management for diverse populations with chronic conditions. PICF manages gaps in non-medical care that affect a person’s recovery and overall health. These include challenges such as food insecurity, confusion regarding medications, transportation difficulties, social isolation, loneliness, and home safety. Here is a video of the virtual ceremony.
– Press release

Child Ready Program
The Child Ready Program based in Albuquerque, New Mexico was recognized for this prestigious award virtually on August 13, 2020. This program strives to engage communities and healthcare facilities to provide quality care to ill or injured children in certain underserved areas through pediatric emergency care. They prepare community response tactics and promote injury prevention practices for children. Additionally, they extend support and guidance to providers caring for the children in need and coordinate a multidisciplinary workforce of providers who are Child Ready. Here is a video of the virtual ceremony.
– Press Release

AccessHealth Spartanburg
AccessHealth Spartanburg was recognized on October 7, 2019 for being care navigators who address social barriers and work with low-income, uninsured people to determine their needs and then connect them with the organizations, resources, and services in the community that can help provide safe, timely, and equitable healthcare.  The group ensures that all the necessary paperwork is prepared so that any assistance is not delayed or denied.
– Press release
– Photos

Chrysalis House
The Chrysalis House in Lexington, KY was honored on October 8, 2019 for its substance use disorder care which specializes in treating pregnant and parenting women and allows newborns and toddlers to be kept on-site.  In addition to addiction, other services provided include mental health treatment, case management, domestic violence counseling, GED tutoring, vocational training and job placement assistance, and housing assistance to ensure the full, long-term recovery of the patients.
– Press release
– Interview WKYT (vid)

Empire Health Foundation
The Empire Health Foundation received the award on September 30, 2019 for fostering healthier communities in the state of Washington.  The organization promotes measurable and sustainable improvements regarding health outcomes.  They follow an adaptive results-driven model that encourages innovation and collaboration in addressing the overall health of its surrounding communities.
– Invite
– Photo

Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging
Texas A&M’s Texas for Life program was honored on August 13, 2019 for its compilation of evidence-driven programs and interventions to improve the health and well being of older Texans.  The program brings together partners and stakeholders to create coordinated and seamless linkages between clinical and community encounters, which can help older adults become more active members of their healthcare team.
– Invite

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was recognized on June 28, 2019 for determining its specific community needs and addressing them head on.  The EBIC identified three health issues – diabetes, substance abuse, and depression – to prioritize within its services to the community.  In order to make the most significant impact on these health challenges, millions of dollars have been invested in a new behavioral and substance abuse facility.
– EBIC Media coverage
– Photos