2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize Social Media Toolkit
The Foster G. McGaw Prize honors organizations that demonstrate a strategic approach to community health and health equity, improve access to care for historically marginalized communities and address societal factors that influence health. One winner and three finalists will receive cash awards. For more information and to download an application, visit the Foster G. McGaw webpage.
Sample Post-Award Social Messages/Newsletter Blurbs
2026 AHA Foster G. McGaw Prize honorees announced
The AHA awarded the 2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore. The Prize honors organizations that demonstrate a strategic approach to community health and health equity, improve access to care for historically marginalized communities and address societal factors that influence health. Sky Lakes’s was recognized for their demonstrated passion and commitment to making communities healthier and co-creating partnerships that improve their communities.
The AHA also recognized three finalists for their outstanding work: Children’s National (DC), Grady Health System (Ga.) and Valley Children’s Healthcare (Calif).
The AHA announced that Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., is the winner of its 2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. Through strong local partnerships, Sky Lakes is expanding access to quality care, supporting healthier living and creating economic opportunities that strengthen community resilience.
The AHA also recognized three Foster G. McGaw Prize Finalists, Children’s National in Washington, D.C., a national model for advocacy education for medical students, residents and practitioners; Grady Health Systems in Atlanta for sponsoring multiple programs that improve community health; and Valley Children’s Healthcare in Madera, Calif., for its comprehensive support for the physical and mental health of children and adolescents.
The application period for the 2027 AHA Foster G. McGaw Prize will be announced in the fall. Next year’s awards will be presented at the 2027 AHA Leadership Summit, July 18-20, in San Diego.
#AHASummit (will use video shown at Summit and link to news release.)
Additional Resources
See the AHA’s updated webpage.
https://www.aha.org/fostermcgaw
See the video honoring this year’s winner and finalists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsTxzXwpClE
See the AHA news release about the honorees’ strategies and achievements. https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2026-07-07-sky-lakes-medical-center-awarded-2026-aha-foster-g-mcgaw-prize
See more about the Prize recognition at the 2026 AHA Leadership Summit.
https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2026-07-13-aha-recognizes-award-winning-hospitals-and-health-systems
See the booklet offering a deeper dive in the winner and finalists’ stories with leadership quotes.
https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2026/07/2026-foster-mcgaw-prize.pdf
About the Prize
The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes health care organizations that are committed to community service through a range of programs that demonstrate a passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier and more vital. First awarded in 1986, the Prize inspires hospitals, health systems and communities to assess and co-create programs that improve their communities. It is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation and administered by the American Hospital Association (AHA). For more information, visit www.aha.org/fostermcgaw.
Include in:
- AHA Today
- Physician’s Alliance
- Maternal and Child Health
