The New Jersey Hospital Association

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 | 5 PM - 8 PM | Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch

We’re heading back to the beach in 2026—and we want to celebrate YOU! NJHA’s annual Best at the Beach Awards return July 9 at the beautiful Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch for a beachfront bash honoring the incredible work that creates health and promotes wellness across New Jersey.

Nominations are now open for NJHA members to spotlight individuals, programs and organizations that represent the very best in New Jersey healthcare. Submit your nominations by February 18 in these exciting categories:

NJHA Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognizes the long-term contributions of an NJHA member healthcare CEO, board member or former board member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, commitment and integrity through a career dedicated to improving the health of the people of New Jersey. Nominees have either recently announced their retirement from a member organization or retired within the past year, and have made significant contributions to their organization, the healthcare industry and their community.

NJHA Distinguished Service Award

Recognizes executive leaders with more than 15 years of combined service to an NJHA member organization. Nominees have been active in NJHA and have demonstrated integrity and superior leadership in improving their organization’s overall performance and service to patients, residents and community members.

The Health InnoVision Award

Honors individuals, organizations, or partnerships that design and deliver next-generation solutions advancing health and wellness. This award celebrates bold ideas brought to life, from concept to implementation, that drive meaningful impact in priority areas such as accessibility, workforce development, environmental health, affordability, and more.

Clinical Excellence Award

Recognizes caregivers who personify a commitment to care that goes above and beyond, as recognized by peers and patients. Nominees may have implemented new or improved policies, procedures, innovations, and/or technology to improve health, including in the areas of patient satisfaction, education, or access to care for vulnerable populations. Nominees have been active in NJHA, and may include doctors, nurses, pharmacists or other clinicians, including individuals, groups or units.

Emerging Leader Award

Recognizes newer members of the healthcare provider community with less than five years of service in a management role, who have demonstrated outstanding knowledge and commitment and who exhibit potential in leadership and innovations.

Inspired Aging Award

Recognizes successful efforts to inspire new attitudes toward aging through initiatives that create wellness, autonomy, fulfillment, cognitive health, satisfaction and other benefits for older individuals. Nominees may include individuals, groups, programs and organizations throughout the healthcare continuum.

Excellence in Patient Experience

Recognizes individuals, groups or programs that implement successful initiatives or innovations to improve patient experience and satisfaction.

Connect Award

Recognizes communication and outreach initiatives that educate, inform and empower New Jerseyans in their health and wellness. Nominations may include PR and marketing campaigns, health literacy efforts, patient and family engagement, and other efforts that forge a strong connection with patients, partners and communities.

Healthy New Jersey Award

Recognizes an individual, group or program that demonstrates vision, innovation and impact in increasing access, advancing equity and eliminating social and economic barriers to positive health outcomes.

Nomination Requirements and Deadline:
All award nominations must be submitted online no later than February 18, 2026.

Each nomination must contain a written narrative supporting the nomination, not to exceed 500 words. The narrative should include a detailed description of the nominated individual, program or organization and the impact, results or metrics associated with the nomination, if applicable.
Nominations may also submit one PDF of three – five pages, with supporting documents, (i.e., CV, PDFs, deliverables, results, links).
Entries that exceed the 500-word narrative or five-page limit in supporting documents may not be considered.
Nominations must be submitted online at www.njha.com/events/best-at-the-beach/nominations/.
A member log-in and password are not required, however, all nominations must be from member institutions; any others will not be considered.
A panel of judges will review the nominations and select the award recipients. Award recipients will be notified in May, non-winners will not be notified.