Hospitals Demonstrate Commitment to Community Partnerships

AHA's Foster G. McGaw Prize highlights hospitals going beyond their walls to improve lives

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Despite the enormous challenges they face, hospitals are continuing to do amazing things to engage with their communities and promote health, according to Doug Brown, chair of the American Hospital Association's Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. The committee has seen hospitals develop adaptive sports programs, teen clinical rotation programs, community-focused built environment improvements, and initiatives to help food-insecure patients access resources.

Why it matters

The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes hospitals that are able to authentically engage with their communities and go beyond their traditional walls to improve lives. This demonstrates the important role hospitals can play as anchor institutions in their local areas, especially during times of crisis and uncertainty.

The details

The Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee visited four finalists last fall, each of which had developed innovative community-focused programs. One hospital created an adaptive sports program for children with physical impairments, while another developed a program for teens to perform clinical rotations and learn about healthcare careers. Another focused on improving the built environment, engaging local children in designing a downtown playground. And one trained medical students to serve as navigators to help 'food insecure' patients access external resources.

  • The 2027 application period for the Foster G. McGaw Prize runs through May 5, 2026.

The players

Doug Brown

Partner at Manatt Health, former president of UMM Community Hospitals, and former chief administrative officer of UMass Memorial Health Care in Boston.

James Hereford

President and CEO of the 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize winner, Fairview Health Services in Minnesota.

Mark Boom, M.D.

President and CEO of Houston Methodist and chair of the AHA Board of Trustees.

Christine Schuster

President and CEO of Emerson Health in Concord, Massachusetts.

Eric Dickson

President and CEO of UMass Memorial Health.

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What they’re saying

“Health care systems like ours have a responsibility in moments like this. To be a source of stability when things feel unsettled. To earn trust through action. And to stay grounded in our mission and purpose when uncertainty is at its highest.”

— James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services

“To be a source of stability when things feel unsettled. To earn trust through action. And to stay grounded in our mission and purpose when uncertainty is at its highest.”

— James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services

“Health care systems like ours have a responsibility in moments like this.”

— James Hereford, President and CEO, Fairview Health Services

“To get better outcomes for society.”

— Mark Boom, M.D., President and CEO, Houston Methodist

“Showing up consistently ... in ways that aren't transactional.”

— Christine Schuster, President and CEO, Emerson Health (Instagram)

What’s next

The 2027 application period for the Foster G. McGaw Prize runs through May 5, 2026.

The takeaway

Hospitals are demonstrating their important role as anchor institutions in their communities by going beyond their traditional walls to develop innovative programs that build trust and improve lives. This commitment to community partnerships is especially critical during times of crisis and uncertainty.