Baltimore health system leader to receive 2026 AHA Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award

The AHA today announced that it will present Harsh K. Trivedi, M.D., president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt health system in Baltimore, with the 2026 Justin Ford Kimball Innovators Award during a ceremony April 20 at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. During the last decade, Trivedi led Sheppard Pratt to opening its new 156,000-square-foot behavioral health hospital and launching new community-based care initiatives, including expansion of its residential crisis programs to create alternatives to hospitalization for individuals in acute behavioral health crises, as well as advancing research in psilocybin for treatment-refractory conditions. Trivedi also spearheaded the launch of Sheppard Pratt Solutions, a consulting and management services division, to partner with hospitals and health systems nationwide to improve and expand behavioral health services. In addition, Trivedi served on the AHA Board of Trustees from 2019-2021; was a member of the AHA’s Behavioral Health Services Committee, Operations Committee, Investment Committee, Task Force on COVID-19 Pathways to Recovery and Dick Davidson NOVA Award Committee; and currently serves on the AHA Committee on Nominations. 

“Harsh has never missed an opportunity to serve the field using his voice to champion innovative care delivery, behavioral health integration, and solutions that strengthen health systems across the country,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “Harsh’s deep commitment to innovation in care delivery and behavioral health has fueled Sheppard Pratt’s expansion to meet the rising behavioral health needs of our nation’s communities by scaling telehealth and virtual crisis ‘walk‑in’ clinics to increase access during COVID-19, launching cutting‑edge outpatient programs and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits.”