Joint Commission Opens 2026 Award Applications to Recognize Excellence in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety – GlobeNewswire

Joint Commission Announces 2026 Awards to Advance Patient Safety, Quality, and Healthcare Equity Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Joint Commission has opened the application period for two prestigious 2026 awards: the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards, in partnership with the National Quality Forum (NQF), and the Bernard J. Tyson Award for Pursuit of Healthcare Equity, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. These awards emphasize the critical role of healthcare innovation and equity in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Award Presentation and Event Details

Recipients will be honored at UNIFY, the Joint Commission’s annual thought leadership conference, scheduled for September 30 to October 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This event fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing to accelerate progress toward global health targets aligned with the SDGs.

John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards

These awards recognize outstanding achievements in patient safety and healthcare quality, supporting SDG 3 by promoting safe, effective, and equitable healthcare delivery. Joint Commission and NQF present the awards in three categories:

1. National Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality
2. Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality
3. Individual Achievement in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality

Eligibility criteria include a minimum of 12 months of data demonstrating measurable improvements for the national and local innovation categories. The Individual Achievement award honors lifetime leadership and scholarship in advancing patient safety and quality.

Established in 2002, the Eisenberg Awards commemorate Dr. John M. Eisenberg, a pioneer in healthcare quality improvement and founding member of NQF’s board, reinforcing the SDG commitment to fostering innovation and leadership in health systems.

Bernard J. Tyson Award for Pursuit of Healthcare Equity

This award highlights healthcare organizations and partners that have achieved measurable and sustained reductions in healthcare disparities, directly supporting SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 3 by ensuring equitable access to quality care.

• Eligible applicants include healthcare organizations delivering care that address disparities related to race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status.
• Applications must include data demonstrating improvements in specific healthcare disparities.

Launched in 2021, the award honors Bernard J. Tyson, former chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, who was dedicated to eliminating healthcare inequities across the United States.

Application Process and Resources

Joint Commission offers comprehensive application resources, including criteria and guidance, accessible via the following webpages:

• Eisenberg Awards
• Tyson Award

The application deadline for both awards is March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT. There is no application fee. Separate applications are required for multiple award submissions. Application links are also available on the Joint Commission’s website.

Organizational Backgrounds and Commitment to SDGs

Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest healthcare standards-setting and accrediting body, evaluating over 23,000 healthcare organizations across the U.S. As an independent nonprofit, it promotes the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety, directly advancing SDG 3 by fostering safe, effective, and equitable healthcare services.

Learn more at www.jointcommission.org.

National Quality Forum (NQF)

NQF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes, safety, and affordability for all populations. By convening diverse stakeholders to establish consensus on quality measurement and improvement, NQF supports SDG 3 and SDG 10 by promoting equitable health improvements nationwide. NQF is an affiliate of the Joint Commission.

Learn more at www.qualityforum.org.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente, established in 1945, is a leading nonprofit healthcare provider and health plan serving 12.6 million members across eight states and the District of Columbia. Its mission to deliver high-quality, affordable care and improve community health aligns with SDG 3 and SDG 10 by addressing health disparities and promoting inclusive health innovations.

Kaiser Permanente emphasizes care innovations, clinical research, health education, and community health support to foster sustainable health improvements.

Learn more at about.kp.org.

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1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving patient safety, healthcare quality, and reducing healthcare disparities, which are core aspects of SDG 3.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The Bernard J. Tyson Award targets healthcare equity and reducing disparities based on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, aligning with SDG 10.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
   • Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce in developing countries.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 10 Targets
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 3
   • Data demonstrating improvements in patient safety and healthcare quality over at least 12 months, as required for the Eisenberg Awards applications.
   • Measurable and sustained reduction in healthcare disparities, as required for the Tyson Award applications.
   • Specific data on healthcare disparities by race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status.
2. Indicators Related to SDG 10
   • Quantitative evidence of reduction in healthcare disparities within populations served by healthcare organizations.
   • Data showing improved equity in healthcare access and outcomes.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: globenewswire.com