DATELINE – America’s Essential Hospitals recognized Valleywise Health for its Center for Refugee and Global Health, which provides health care services and works to minimize barriers to care, including transportation, health literacy, and treatment adherence, for refugees in Maricopa County.
America’s Essential Hospitals awarded Valleywise Health a 2025 Gage Award for population health at a June 12 luncheon at VITAL2025, in Atlanta.
“We are truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition for Valleywise Health’s remarkable refugee health program,” says Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health. “It truly is a national model for providing culturally and linguistically appropriate comprehensive health services to refugee families. We are committed to continuing this important program to provide our refugee patients with exceptional care.”
Arizona has settled more than 110,000 refugees since 1981 and ranks in the top five states for refugee reception. Seventy-eight percent of those refugees relocate to Maricopa County, where Valleywise Health operates. The Valleywise Health Center for Refugee and Global Health aims to help refugees navigate the U.S. health care system, providing support with interpretation, insurance, housing, day-to-day survival information, and more.
In 2024, the center served 17,000 refugee patients from 71 countries. The center has also provided health literacy classes to more than 800 patients, adult refugee services to 1,437 men, and HIV/AIDS care to 880 adult refugees. Health care providers delivered 212 babies at the Refugee Women’s Health Clinic and installed more than 300 car seats for mothers who completed child safety classes.
“Our members reach outside their walls to meet patients where they are and provide superior, person-centered care,” said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals. “These awards spotlight innovative solutions that reflect their commitment to their mission.”
The Gage Awards, named after association founder Larry Gage, honor and share successful and creative member hospital programs that improve patient care and meet community needs. The Gage Award for population health recognizes activities focused on social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, homelessness, language barriers, and other socioeconomic factors.
