Finalists announced for IHF Awards 2026
 

(GENEVA) - The International Hospital Federation (IHF) has announced the finalists in all 8 categories of the IHF Awards 2026.

IHF Awards shortlists 59 finalists

This year, the IHF Awards program received more than 750 entries from hospitals and healthcare organizations from 38 countries and territories. In 2026, 59 finalists were shortlisted across 8 award categories: 

• Dr. Kwang-Tae Kim Grand Hospital Award – recognizing excellence in the five dimensions of healthcare delivery: quality and safety, patient experience, cost efficiency, workforce wellbeing, and health equity and access.

• Dr. Prathap C Reddy Excellence Award for Clinical Quality and Patient Safety – acknowledging excellence or outstanding achievements in advancing clinical quality and patient safety.

• American Hospital Association Excellence Award for Healthcare Workers’ Wellbeing – recognizing excellence or outstanding achievements in ensuring the wellbeing of healthcare workers.

• Award for Hospital Operational Excellence – honoring measurable success in operational outcomes and efficiencies.

• American College of Healthcare Executives Excellence Award for Leadership and Management – acknowledging excellence or outstanding achievements in leadership and management for hospitals or healthcare organizations.

• Shri. Anant Ambani Jivanam Excellence Award for Low-Carbon Healthcare – new sponsor for 2026 – recognizing excellence or outstanding achievements in promoting low-carbon healthcare initiatives.

• Seddiqi Holding Excellence Award for Social and Environmental Responsibility – acknowledging excellence or outstanding achievements in advancing social and environmental responsibility.

• Geneva Sustainability Centre Excellence Award for Hospital Sustainability Acceleration – distinguishing hospitals that demonstrate exemplary improvements in sustainability strategies, actions, and reporting, using insights and guidance from the Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT).

Of more than 750 entries this year, a total of 59 finalists has been shortlisted for the 8 contested IHF Awards. In each category, winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, as well as honorable mentions, will be selected from the finalists.

Read the full list of finalists for the IHF Awards 2026 here.

Dr Lawrence Lai, Chair of the IHF Awards Committee, shared his admiration for the high standards and quality of all the entries in 2026: “It was a privilege for the Awards Committee to select the finalists from such a strong field of entries. Those shortlisted this year are leading the way in healthcare leadership and delivery of high-quality care within their communities. Despite the significant pressures and complex challenges in the healthcare sector today, the submissions reflect unwavering commitment and resilience – ensuring continuity of care while striving to create the hospitals and health systems that will meet our future needs in a rapidly changing world.

We are grateful to every hospital and healthcare organization that shared their experiences, inspiring others to do the same. This spirit of collaboration will motivate peers across the globe and ensure that we can achieve better healthcare outcomes.

I also take the opportunity to express our gratitude to the sponsors for generously supporting the IHF Awards program, and to all members of the Awards Committee for their invaluable contributions and dedication throughout the judging process.”

The shortlisted projects and programs in each category exemplify the innovation, good practice, and service improvement transforming the healthcare sector into IHF Member organizations across the globe. The IHF Awards recognize and amplify exemplary work that improves the level, standard, quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare service delivery. These annual Awards, showcasing excellence in hospital leadership and management, are one of the core programs by which the IHF fulfils its commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and exchange for its members and the global healthcare community.

The judging process involved an extensive review by members of the Awards Committee, comprising 62 healthcare leaders and senior executives from around the world. The scoring for the 7 Excellence Awards is based on five criteria: originality and innovation; intended impact; adaptability and scalability; scientific rigor; and clarity. For the Grand Hospital Award, entries were scored based on overall success in achieving the five dimensions of healthcare delivery (health service quality, patient experience, clinical outcomes and health equity, cost efficiency, and workforce wellbeing), as well as the ability to sustain their success and achievements.

Countdown to the World Hospital Congress

The IHF Awards 2026 winners will be presented at the Awards Gala Dinner on Wednesday 21 October at the 49th World Hospital Congress in Seoul (Republic of Korea), where an audience of over 500 hospital and healthcare executives from around the globe will gather to celebrate the winning achievements.

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