MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — The Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration has announced the recipients of its 2026 Excellence in EMS Integration Awards, honoring organizations and leaders for advancing high-performance, patient-centered mobile healthcare systems.
AIMHI said the winners were selected from a competitive pool of nominees and represent leading examples of EMS innovation, particularly in expanding care delivery beyond the traditional transport model.
The 2026 recipients are:
- Excellence in EMS Integration Award: The Sonoma County Fire District EMS, California
- Advocacy in Integrated Healthcare Award: U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, Ohio
- Excellence in Public Information or Education: Medic Keep the Beat Foundation, California
- Excellence in Value Demonstration or Research: Prisma Health Ambulance Service – Mobile Integrated Health, South Carolina
- Leadership in Integrated Healthcare Award: Justin Duncan, Washington County Ambulance District, Missouri
- Excellence in Integrated Care Medical Direction: Doug Swanson, MD, FACEP, FAEMS Mecklenburg EMS Agency, North Carolina
“Our congratulations go to all of our winners for their innovation and vision in delivering patient-centered, high-value mobile healthcare that goes far beyond the traditional transport model,” AIMHI President Rob Lawrence said. “These leaders and systems are demonstrating, in real terms, how EMS can integrate with the broader healthcare system to improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary utilization, and bring care directly to the patient. This is the future of EMS, and it is already happening.”
The awards will be presented on June 2 at the PWW|AG Executive Innovation Conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where winners will be recognized and briefly highlight their programs for national EMS and healthcare leaders.
