AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award
Apply Now for the 2027 AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award
The AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes and shares the accomplishments of rural hospitals that demonstrate responsiveness, innovation, and excellence in developing, implementing, and sustaining programs and services. The award spotlights visionary changemakers using innovation and technology as catalysts for rural health resiliency — celebrating bold, practical solutions that strengthen care delivery and empower rural providers.
Finalists 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 United States and its territories.
One winner and up to three finalists will be selected. The award will be presented at the 2027 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, held January 31–February 3, 2027, in Orlando, Florida.
Applications are due at noon Central Time, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. We are unable to accept late applications.
Download the application instructions.
Contact ruralaward@aha.org with questions.
2027 Award Sponsor
The AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award is generously sponsored by Microsoft.
Learn about our 2026 winner and finalists.
Contact ruralaward@aha.org with questions.
Listen to AHA Chair Marc Boom, M.D., and Mark Boucot, President and CEO of WVU Potomac Valley Hospital, discuss the program that received the 2026 AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award.
Key Resources
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