The 2023-2024 Awards will take place in NYC June 12-14. We are accepting partners for the 2024 awards. Please join us in sharing the good news in healthcare mental health.
Sharp Index Awards: Healthy in Healthcare
Join in the good news.
Award Categories
Advocacy Leader
The Advocacy Leader category honors individuals dedicated to dismantling the stigma against mental health care among healthcare workers, from various backgrounds including healthcare professionals, patients, and policymakers. Through their vocal advocacy, personal stories, and actionable efforts like public campaigns and policy influence, they champion mental health support for all healthcare providers. Preference is given to individual winners, with past honorees such as Justin Bullock, MD, Jessica Gold, MD, and Jack Turban, MD, showcasing the profound impact of these efforts.
Health Equity Leader
Celebrating the architects of change in healthcare, this award honors leaders committed to health equity, who not only advocate for inclusivity and diversity but also drive measurable outcomes in patient care and education. Through their innovative efforts, from implementing culturally competent care models to enhancing access to medical education, these pioneers ensure that care quality transcends zip codes. Celebrated past winner Sachin Jain, MD, exemplifies the profound impact of dedication to health equity and personal risk and investment to ensure success.
Healthy Health Systems
Spotlighting the vanguards of healthcare wellness, this award celebrates health systems that pioneer practices and programs to bolster mental health, combat burnout, and improve work-life harmony for their teams. From hospitals to clinics, these organizations are lauded for creating nurturing environments that drive tangible enhancements in staff satisfaction and patient care quality. With past honorees like New York Health and Hospitals leading the way, this accolade underscores the vital connection between healthcare professionals' well-being and exceptional patient outcomes.
Innovator of the Year
We need more good people involved in healthcare mental health. Creators and innovators are working to meet this need. This can be an invention, or an individual who is dedicated to the possibilities in healthcare. Innovator of the year should be for something created or brought to market in 2023. Solutions for longstanding health outcomes disparities and healthcare access are considered. Pioneers for system transformation are needed.
Media Campaign of the Year
Highlighting the power of media to transform mental health narratives, the 2024 Media Campaign Award celebrates impactful storytelling that reshapes how we view healthcare professionals' well-being. Recognizing the efforts of journalists and media campaigns that educate, engage, and inspire through innovative and compelling content, this award spotlights the crucial role of media in addressing burnout, mental health challenges, and promoting work-life balance. Celebrated for her exceptional coverage of behavioral health, past winner Jan Hoffman sets the precedent for future awardees, underlining the significant impact of media in fostering a healthier healthcare environment.
Nurse Leadership
Celebrating the pillars of nursing leadership, this award spotlights those who lead with innovation, compassion, and unwavering advocacy. Recognizing nurse leaders across the spectrum, from those guiding teams on the front lines to those shaping strategy at the top, it honors those committed to creating positive work environments, fostering professional growth, and enhancing nurses' mental and emotional well-being. Amidst challenges like burnout and the call for safer working conditions, these leaders stand at the forefront, advocating for their teams and setting new standards in patient care and nursing excellence.
Physician Leader of the Year
Championing the forefront of healthcare transformation, this category honors physician leaders whose visionary and empathetic leadership has been pivotal in shaping healthier work environments. Celebrating physicians in significant roles who have spearheaded initiatives to mitigate burnout, bolster mental health, and enhance work-life balance, their efforts underscore the profound link between leadership and well-being in healthcare. Icons such as Rasu Shrestha, MD MBA, Bridgette Duffy, MD, and Megan Ranney, MD MPH exemplify the impactful change that committed physician leaders can instigate, inspiring a legacy of improved healthcare settings. .
Research or Article
Spotlighting the pinnacle of mental health scholarship, the Research or Article of the Year Award celebrates groundbreaking works that illuminate the complexities of mental health. This accolade is reserved for those whose writings — be it through peer-reviewed research, investigative journalism, or compelling commentary in esteemed publications — merge rigorous analysis with accessible narratives to address the pressing mental health issues of our time. Honorees are distinguished by their contributions to both the scholarly community and public discourse, driving forward mental health understanding and advocacy with exceptional insight and clarity.
Technology Leader
Technology can change healthcare. This category features pioneering technological innovations aimed at bolstering the well-being of healthcare providers. Celebrating organizations and individuals behind cutting-edge software, mobile apps, digital platforms, and wearables, these innovations are at the forefront of tackling burnout, easing administrative loads, and cultivating healthier work environments. Note that companies cannot clinch this title in consecutive years, and sponsors of the awards are recognized as champions for enhancing tech visibility among physicians and clinicians, stepping aside from finalist or semifinalist positions.
Legacy
The Legacy Award stands as a testament to enduring excellence and transformative impact in mental health advocacy and care. Reserved for those whose lifelong contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, this award honors individuals and organizations like the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation and Carol Bernstein, MD, whose visionary leadership and dedication have significantly advanced mental health awareness, reduced stigma, and fostered systemic change. Recipients are celebrated for their profound commitment to improving the well-being of healthcare professionals and patients alike, shaping a legacy of hope and resilience for future generations.
Past winners include the Lorna Breene Heroes Act
Decision making: Past winners are invited to participate as judges for future years, along with leaders and decision makers. We also include patients in every category.
The Sharp Index Awards have a panel of over 100 judges who are decision makers in healthcare, physicians, patients, and experts. Judges know about mental health and health equity. Judges also include prior winners. Judges disclose any conflict of interest and can opt out of categories where they have personal ties.
Sponsors: We are seeking sponsors for the 2024 award ceremony. Sponsors are active in designing and giving awards and thanking those who have worked to improve physician and clinician mental health.
Past Sponsors include Nuance, Health Catalyst and Medicomp Solutions.
Get Updates about the Awards
Awards for excellence in physician well-being are a way to celebrate the good news. Projects that have helped, individuals that have made a difference, and systems that take the health of their physicians seriously should be celebrated. When we recognize excellence in physician health, healthcare systems will naturally strive for excellence. We want to recognize excellence in work towards that mission.
The 2022 Awards were presented at the HealthIMPACT East Forum, at their tenth annual conference, in partnership with Nuance.
The 2021 Awards were presented at the Healthcare Burnout Symposium, which was held January 24th-26th, 2022, in partnership with Health Catalyst.
Each year over 100 judges who are patients, decision makers, psychiatrists, past winners, experts, suicidologists, nurses, founders, and physicians help select and share the good news of healthy healthcare.