The 2026 Social Health Awards Are Opening Soon!
The Social Health Awards are almost back and we cannot wait to celebrate another year of the patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who are quietly (and not so quietly) reshaping what healthcare looks like from the inside out.
Last year, we made some big shifts to the program moving to self-submissions, retiring the public endorsement phase, and going fully virtual so that every Health Leader, no matter where they are or what their day looks like, has an equal seat at the table. Those changes weren't a one-time refresh. They are the foundation we are building on, and they are here to stay.
This year, we are not reinventing the wheel. We are making the program sharper, more inclusive, and more rewarding - because you deserve nothing less.
What's new for 2026
Introducing the Patient-Centered Pioneer: A new category for HCPs
Healthcare professionals are showing up for their patients in ways that go far beyond the exam room — fighting misinformation, validating lived experience, partnering with patients to amplify their voices, and treating the patient-provider relationship as a true collaboration. It was time to honor the HCPs who truly believe patient and caregiver voices are worthy of being heard.
We are adding a brand-new HCP-focused category to the 2026 awards, dedicated to the MDs, DOs, PAs, APRNs, PharmDs, and doctoral-level clinical specialists who are redefining what it means to practice medicine in the digital age.
This new category was shaped with the help of our Patient Leadership Council, who reviewed and voted on the category to make sure it truly reflects what the patient community values most in a clinical champion.
Clearer category descriptions, written with you in mind
We heard you: it's hard to celebrate your impact when you are not sure where you fit. So we rewrote every single category description from the ground up.
You will now find clearer language about who each category is open to, what kinds of work it celebrates, and exactly what our judges are looking for. Whether you are a first-time submitter or a returning Health Leader, our hope is that you read these descriptions and immediately think, "That's me."
A bigger, more meaningful prize pack
Being a Health Leader online is a real responsibility. The standards are high, the regulations are evolving, and your community is counting on you to lead with credibility.
That is why we are adding the U.S. Responsible Influence Certification to the 2026 winner's prize pack. Every winner will receive one full year of the certification, fully covered by us. It is a credential that signals to your community, to industry partners, and to future collaborators that you are committed to leading with transparency, ethics, and accuracy.
Combined with the personalized award, $500 cash prize, a year of Patient Leadership Council membership, a Society for Participatory Medicine one year membership, and exclusive virtual connection opportunities — this is our most meaningful prize pack yet.
Why this matters
Health Union's research tells us that 95% of people turn to social resources for support on their health journey. Because of leaders like you, 86% of patients better understand their conditions and 62% feel less alone.1
That is not a small thing. That is the entire point.
The Social Health Awards exist because of the work you do. Every post, every comment, every late-night DM to someone who just got a scary diagnosis is changing lives. We want the rest of the world to see what your community already knows.
It's your turn
Submissions are officially open from June 1 - June 26, 2026. Finalists will be announced on July 21, 2026 right here on the Social Health Network, and we will celebrate our winners together during a live virtual ceremony on August 19, 2026 at 12 PM ET.
You do not need anyone's permission to be recognized for the work you are already doing. Take a breath, take a beat, and tell us your story.
Start your 2026 submission
You have been showing up for your community. Now let us show up for you.
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