At the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. on April 15, two healthcare leaders will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the AHA for their significant contributions to the field. Nancy Howell Agee, CEO of Carilion Clinic, and Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO of Atlantic Health System, will receive this prestigious award for their dedication to enhancing patient care and expanding access to healthcare in their respective communities.
Howell Agee has been leading Carilion since 2011, transforming it into a patient-centered, physician-led organization that has collaborated with Virginia Tech to establish the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. She currently chairs the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care and has held various leadership roles within the AHA, including Chair of the Board of Trustees and Committee on Health Care Strategy and Innovation. Her unwavering commitment to patients is evident in her mentorship of women leaders in the industry.
Gragnolati has been at the helm of Atlantic Health System since 2015 and is recognized as a prominent figure in the healthcare sector. He has spoken at both national and international events and has received numerous accolades for his advocacy efforts. In particular, he was awarded the AHA’s Partnership for Action Grassroots Champion Award twice for his role in New Jersey’s response to the pandemic. He served on several key advisory councils related to COVID-19 response and played a crucial role in transforming healthcare delivery in New Jersey and beyond through investments in people and technology.
Rick Pollack, President and CEO of AHA commended both Howell Agee and Gragnolati for their relentless efforts towards improving patient care while expanding access to healthcare services in their respective communities. Their dedication towards this cause along with their expertise makes them an inspiration not only within their organizations but also across the broader hospital industry as they continue leading us towards a better future for all patients.
