Healthcare Trustee Leadership Award
HTNYS’ Healthcare Trustee Leadership Award recognizes hospital and health system board members who exemplify leadership in the boardroom, dedication to improving healthcare for their community and excellence in the governance of their organization.
2026 nominations are now open! Submit yours by May 11.
Complete your 2026 nomination form
Eligible trustees:
- have served with distinction;
- have made significant contributions to the betterment of their hospital, health system or nursing home and the community it serves; and
- routinely go beyond the call of duty.
Examples of leadership contributions and qualities include, but are not limited to:
- taking a lead role in positioning their organization to meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare environment;
- leading growth, innovation and expansion/modernization phases for their organization;
- steering the organization through an affiliation, reorganization or turnaround;
- serving as an advocate and steward for healthcare, their organization and their community;
- having a vision and passion for fulfilling the mission of the organization;
- providing support in forging external partnerships;
- commitment to and implementation of good governance;
- helping the board become more efficient;
- successfully mentoring board colleagues;
- continually pursuing knowledge; and
- providing outstanding contributions in grassroots advocacy initiatives.
Special consideration will be given to trustees who display a dedication to the mission of delivering quality healthcare to their community.
Submission criteria and process
Individuals serving on the board (fiduciary or advisory) of a HANYS member organization are eligible for this award. Note: Trustees currently serving on the HTNYS board are NOT eligible.
Nominations must be submitted by an organization’s CEO and board chair. Submissions should include:
- the completed online nomination form; and
- a letter of support from the CEO and board chair.
- One letter from both or two separate letters will be accepted.
- If the board chair is being nominated, a letter from another board member, preferably an officer, will be accepted.
Email the submission form and letter to HTNYS at htnys@hanys.org.
Complete your 2026 nomination form
The deadline to submit is 5 p.m. on May 11.
Winner selection
Submissions are judged by an external panel of governance experts.
Award presentation
The award winner will be notified the week of June 15.
The winner will be honored during the luncheon at HTNYS’ Annual Trustee Conference Sept. 18 at the Turning Stone. HTNYS will cover the cost of conference registration and hotel room for two nights for the winner. The winner and their CEO will receive an award and have the opportunity to make brief remarks. The winner will also be highlighted in a video shown during the award ceremony.
All nominees are encouraged to attend the Trustee Conference! A description of each nominee will be included in a printed profile book that will be distributed at the award ceremony. All nominees will also be recognized with a ribbon on their name badge.
About the award
The HTNYS Trustee Leadership Award was established in 1985. It was paused in 2020 and resumed in 2025. We’re excited to have the award back and proud to offer it as a symbol of dedication and excellence in leadership in healthcare governance within the HANYS membership.
Questions?
Please contact Kristen Phillips, director, trustee education, at kphillip@hanys.org | 518.431.7713 or Nicholas Henley, executive director, nhenley@hanys.org | 518.431.7721.
