The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health System in Charleston, S.C., is the 2026 recipient of the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize, the AHA said July 9.
Three health systems were named finalists: Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, Hartford-based Connecticut Children’s and Miami-based Nicklaus Children’s.
The prize, first awarded in 2002, recognizes healthcare leadership and innovation in improving quality and advancing health in communities.
“This year’s AHA Quest for Quality honorees demonstrate how a deep commitment to innovations in data-driven safety initiatives can transform care and strengthen communities,” AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in a statement. “These hospitals and health systems are leading the way in building cultures where safety and quality are the North Star, setting a powerful example for others across the country.”
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health System serves more than 109,000 veterans across coastal South Carolina and Georgia and monitors performance across 10 quality domains. The AHA credited the system with cutting mental health services wait times from 24 days to fewer than 10, and highlighted its use of 3D printing for prosthetics, medical devices and surgical rehearsal models.
Among the finalists, Advocate Health — which operates 69 hospitals across eight states — reported a 14% reduction in mortality over two years through initiatives such as sepsis care standardization. Connecticut Children’s cited a 55% drop in hospital-acquired infections since 2019, and Nicklaus Children’s reported a 63% reduction in staff injuries from behavioral events between 2021 and 2024 through its adaptive care program.
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