NCHA Awards and Recognitions
The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is honored to recognize leaders and teams in North Carolina hospitals and health systems that are committed to improving the health of their communities through innovative, high-quality care.
Awards offered in 2025:
- Distinguished Service Award — One of NCHA’s highest individual honors, this award is presented to an NCHA member institution executive currently serving in a leadership role whose contributions to the healthcare field have had a positive and lasting impact at the local, regional, state or national level.
- Clinical Leadership Award — This award is presented to an NCHA member institution clinician currently serving in a leadership role who has made an outstanding contribution to his/her organization through creativity, collaboration and clinical excellence.
- Highsmith Award for Innovation — Named for Dr. John Highsmith, the first president of NCHA, this award is presented to a member institution or to an individual/team employed by an NCHA member institution in recognition of innovation that creates value for patients/consumers of healthcare. Nominations on workforce innovation encouraged.
- Healthier Communities Award — This award recognizes collaborative work by an NCHA member institution or institutions to promote health and well-being by addressing an identified community need.
Winner selection and presentation
A committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the NCHA Board. The NCHA Board will make the final selection of winners. NCHA will recognize all award winners during its Summer Meeting, July 16-18, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina. Award nominations are being accepted until April 21.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations should describe the organization, team or individual’s work on a specific project or initiative designed to enhance the patient experience that
- Illustrates the scope, originality and implementation of innovation
- Effectively achieves a stated purpose
- Demonstrates potential for applicability to other hospitals or health systems
Life membership is conferred upon retired CEOs or executives that have served NCHA member institutions for at least 20 years and upon immediate past chairs of the NCHA Board of Trustees in recognition of service to the field. To make a recommendation, please contact James Hayes at jhayes@ncha.org or Tatyana Kelly at tkelly@ncha.org.
Staff Contact
Tatyana Kelly
Senior Vice President, Planning, Strategy & Member Services