AcademyHealth & NORC Announce the Gail Wilensky Award for Impact in Health Policy
The award recognizes the enduring legacy of Gail Wilensky by recognizing leaders in health policy who have made a positive impact on the American health care system through the development and use of evidence to shape U.S. health policy.
CHICAGO, January 28, 2025 — AcademyHealth, in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago, today announced the establishment of the Gail Wilensky Award for Impact in Health Policy. This award will be presented for the first time at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting (ARM), recognizing outstanding mid- to senior-career professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in shaping American health policy.
Named in honor of Gail Wilensky, a trailblazer in the field of health policy who passed away unexpectedly in 2024, the award celebrates her enduring legacy by highlighting leaders who have used evidence-based research to drive meaningful change in the health care system.
“Gail Wilensky had a tremendous impact on AcademyHealth as a member, advisor, and friend. Her commitment to evidence-based policy, along with her tremendous capacity for communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences, made her a force in Washington and a champion for the health of our nation,” said Dr. Aaron Carroll, AcademyHealth President and CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with NORC to honor leaders who embody her dedication to improving the American health care system.”
The Gail Wilensky Award will recognize individuals whose careers demonstrate a sustained record of policy impact. Through this award, AcademyHealth and NORC aim to inspire and support future generations of health policy professionals committed to the production and use of high-quality evidence to improve health and health care.
“In honoring Gail, we recognize her legacy of creating evidence-based health policy and signal the core values of both organizations.”
“We are excited to collaborate with AcademyHealth on this award and celebrate health policy leaders,” said Dan Gaylin, president and CEO of NORC. “Gail made innumerable contributions to NORC as a Trustee, one small aspect of her role as a leader, mentor, and friend to so many in the health policy community. In honoring Gail, we recognize her legacy of creating evidence-based health policy and signal the core values of both organizations.”
The award recipient will be announced at the 2025 ARM in June, which gathers health services researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the latest in health policy and health care delivery. Submit a nomination by February 24, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET.
About AcademyHealth
AcademyHealth is a leading national organization serving the fields of health services and policy research and the professionals who produce and use this important work. Together with our members, we offer programs and services that support the development and use of rigorous, relevant and timely evidence to improve health and health care for all. A trusted broker of information, AcademyHealth brings stakeholders together to address the current and future needs of an evolving health system, inform health policy, and translate evidence into action. Learn more at www.academyhealth.org.
Contact: For more information contact Kristin Rosengren at AcademyHealth at Kristin.rosengren@academyhealth.org or (202) 689-9067.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society.
Contact: For more information, please contact Eric Young at NORC at young-eric@norc.org or (703) 217-6814 (cell).
