First Minnesota health system in 30 years to receive the Foster G. McGaw Prize—honoring Fairview’s bold, equity-focused outreach
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The American Hospital Association (AHA) announced this week that Fairview Health Services (Fairview) is the recipient of the 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. Each year the prestigious national award recognizes one healthcare organization for its outstanding commitment to community health and equity.
Fairview, one of Minnesota’s largest nonprofit health systems, was selected for its groundbreaking, equity-driven programs and partnerships that extend care beyond clinical walls and into the neighborhoods wherepeople live and work.
“This recognition is a testament to Fairview’s deep roots in the community and the unwavering dedication of our entire system – all 34,000 people that make up Fairview – to advancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said James Hereford, president and CEO of Fairview. “We are honored to be the 2025 Foster G. McGaw Prize recipient, and by the recognition of our commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the care, resources, and opportunities they need to live a healthy life.”
The annual prize, created in 1986, recognizes a healthcare organization that is committed to community service through programs that demonstrate a passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier and more vital.
How Fairview stood out
In honoring Fairview with the award, AHA cited the health system’s commitment to addressing the social determinants of health (SDOH) through five strategic pillars:
- East Side Health & Well-Being Collaborative: A long-standing, community-driven partnership led by Fairview to build community collaboration and advance health equity through shared leadership, investment, and trust.
- Fair Table: A “food is medicine” initiative screening patients for food insecurity, delivering culturally meaningful groceries, and building economic opportunities by sourcing from local BIPOC farmers and vendors.
- Cultural brokers: Fairview employees embedded in partner organizations who bridge language, cultural, and system gaps—empowering residents with access to care, education, and opportunity.
- Health Commons: Drop-in health and wellness hubs that provide health and wellness services ranging from clinical care to nutrition classes, addiction support, fresh food access and social connections.
- Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI): Community-based, mobile clinics offering free vaccinations and preventative services in trusted locations like churches, mosques, shelters and food pantries.
“Each and every day, Fairview Health Services collaborates with a range of community partners to help Minnesotans reach their full health potential,” said Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. “From addressing food insecurity to providing free clinical health services in community settings to helping neighbors navigate the health care system, Fairview’s community outreach programs serve as a national model to the hospital field.”
The Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International, and is administered by the AHA. Fairview will be recognized at the AHA Leadership Summit in Nashville on July 21 and receive $100,000 toward programs that further the Prize’s goals.
In celebration of the award, Fairview is hosting a centennial event at the M Health Fairview – Rice Street clinic on July 15th. Fairview will also host a Community Health Summit with state and local leaders in September, highlighting the system’s ongoing commitment to collaborations and community health.
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About Fairview Health Services
Fairview Health Services (fairview.org) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit health system driven to heal, discover and educate for longer, healthier lives. Founded in 1906, Fairview provides exceptional care to patients and communities as one of the most comprehensive and geographically accessible systems in Minnesota. Fairview has enjoyed a long partnership with the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Physicians, now represented in the M Health Fairview brand. Together, we offer access to breakthrough medical research and specialty expertise as part of a continuum of care that reaches all ages and health needs. For more information, visit the Fairview website at www.fairview.org.
About the Foster G. McGaw Prize
The Foster G. McGaw Prize recognizes health care organizations that are committed to community service through a range of programs that demonstrate a passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier and more vital. The prize, first awarded in 1986, inspires hospitals, health systems and communities to assess and co-create programs that improve their communities. It is sponsored by the Baxter Foundation and administered by the American Hospital Association (AHA). For more information, visit www.aha.org/fostermcgaw.
About the American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.
