Grady Named a Finalist for Prestigious 2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service

Grady Health System has been named one of four finalists for the 2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service, a national honor recognizing hospitals and health systems that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve.

Sponsored by the Baxter Foundation and administered by the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes healthcare organizations that partner with their communities to co-design innovative programs that address social drivers of health outcomes and improve access to safe, high-quality care.

Grady was selected as a finalist for its comprehensive approach to improving community health through initiatives that extend beyond traditional healthcare delivery. The health system’s work reflects a longstanding commitment to addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes for patients and families across metro Atlanta.

“At Grady, we believe healthier communities are built through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to addressing people’s needs,” said Shannon Sale, Chief Administrative Officer at Grady. “We’re honored to be recognized as a Foster G. McGaw Prize finalist because this work reflects what our team and our partners do every day – working together to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and improve the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.”

Among the programs highlighted as part of Grady’s recognition are:

• Food as Medicine Program that was launched in partnership with the Atlanta Food Bank and aims to tackle chronic disease through healthy eating, particularly for those living in food deserts across the community.
  
  
• Comprehensive OB Hypertension Program that is working to reduce the risk of complications of postpartum preeclampsia and reduce the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease among patients who experience disparities in maternal and cardiovascular health outcomes.
  
  
• Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at Grady’s Cancer Center, a partnership between patients, family members, caregivers, and the cancer center’s multidisciplinary care team. PFAC focuses on the voice of those directly affected by cancer through involving them in programmatic initiatives, facility improvements, and patient communication.
  
  
• Teen Experience and Learning Program (TELP) that provides high school students with the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the healthcare field. TELP enables students to earn volunteer hours, explore a wide range of healthcare careers, and develop essential leadership skills. Beyond individual development, the program also serves to strengthen community partnerships and support the creation of sustainable pathways into the healthcare workforce.
  
  

The 2026 Foster G. McGaw Prize winner, Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon, was recognized during the AHA Leadership Summit in Denver. Grady joins Children’s National in Washington, D.C., and Valley Children’s Healthcare in California as finalists, with each organization receiving a $10,000 award in recognition of its community service initiatives.