Applications open for AHA Rural Hospital Excellence Innovation Award

The American Hospital Association opened applications for the AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award. The award recognizes and publicizes the accomplishments of rural hospitals demonstrating responsiveness, innovation and excellence in developing, implementing and sustaining programs and services. The AHA will select one winner and up to three finalists; honorees will be hospitals investing in programs, care redesign, collaboration, or technology-driven solutions to address emerging challenges in rural, remote and frontier areas of the U.S. and its territories. Applications are due at noon CT on June 23. The AHA will present the award at the 2027 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2027, in Orlando, Fla. Microsoft sponsors the award. Application information is available on the AHA website. (AHA News article, 4/28/26)