Award-winning innovations

Hennepin Health is recognized locally and nationally for an innovative approach to building healthy, equitable communities by integrating health care with services that address the social influencers of health.

Recent awards

For collaboration to bring care directly to Hennepin Health members with non-emergent care needs

2026 National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers, 2026 Payer Champion award

This award, in the “Value-Based Care Payors” category, recognizes a collaboration between Hennepin Health and Hennepin EMS (part of Hennepin Healthcare) to bring care directly to Hennepin Health members with non-emergent health care needs. (This is care for conditions that are not life threatening.) Care is delivered where the member lives.

For reducing hospital admissions by providing certified peer support to people with substance use disorder

2024 Minnesota Hospital Association, Quality and Safety Improvement Award
2024 National Association of Counties, Achievement Award

This Hennepin Health initiative identifies members with substance use disorder (SUD) and an emergency department or inpatient hospitalization for SUD. Members are connected to a certified peer support specialist who provides peer support counseling and connects them to basic needs and treatment and recovery services.

For reducing hospital admissions by providing pharmacist support to people transitioning from hospital to home

2023 Minnesota Hospital Association, Quality and Safety Improvement Award

Through this Hennepin Health-funded initiative, Hennepin Healthcare pharmacists provide medication counseling to patients who are hospitalized at Hennepin Healthcare’s hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center. Pharmacists help address the barriers to taking medication that patients encounter when they leave the hospital.

Past awards

2020 National Association of Counties, Achievement Award
2020 Healthcare Innovation, Annual Innovator Award
2019 Kresge Foundation, Integrating Health and Human Services – Equitable and Thriving Communities grant recipient
2015 Minnesota Business Magazine's Leaders in Health Care Awards, Community Outreach Award
2015 Harvard Kennedy School, Innovations in American Government Award semi-finalist
2014 Association of Affiliated Community Plans, Supporting the Safety Net Award
2013 University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Local Government Innovation Award
2013 National Association of Counties, Innovation Award
2012 Minnesota Department of Human Services, Commissioner's Circle of Excellence Award