Applications are now open for the AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award, which recognizes and shares the accomplishments of rural hospitals that demonstrate responsiveness, innovation and excellence in developing, implementing and sustaining programs and services. One winner and up to three finalists will be selected; honorees 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. The award will be presented at the 2027 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, held Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2027, in Orlando, Florida. The AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award is sponsored by Microsoft. APPLY NOW 

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A new blog, part of the Keeping Care Close to Home initiative, discusses how connected care networks are essential to sustaining rural maternal care. The blog…
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When the American Hospital Association launched the Keeping Care Close to Home: Innovations in Rural Maternal Health project in 2025, we set out to understand…
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A new AHA report warns that access to care is increasingly at risk in rural communities as workforce shortages, financial pressures and policy changes threaten…
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oct. 9 released its first report on how states are implementing funds from the Rural Health Transformation…
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In preparation for this year’s National Rural Health Day celebration on Nov. 19, the AHA has curated resources, stories and events that showcase the difference…
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As part of the AHA’s Opportunities for Innovations in Rural Maternal Care initiative, a recent Commonwealth Fund blog discusses strategies hospitals can use to…