Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2026) – The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) recognized two outstanding leaders, Dr. Mark Lodes and Dr. Anand R. Shah, as recipients of the 2026 Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award. The annual award honors individuals whose leadership reflects the late Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson’s legacy of advancing equitable, high-quality care and healthier communities.
Even as health care spending reaches record levels, millions of Americans in rural communities, lower-income neighborhoods and medically underserved areas face continuing barriers to getting the care they need. Rising chronic disease rates and growing gaps in primary and specialty care access are straining patients and the health care system alike. ACHP member plans believe closing these gaps is core to building a health care system that delivers better outcomes and better value for everyone.
“Bernard believed that progress on these challenges starts with understanding people’s full range of needs, clinical and social,” said ACHP President and CEO Ceci Connolly. “Through innovative care models, stronger community partnerships and data-informed strategies, Dr. Lodes and Dr. Shah are showing that treating the whole person, not just a diagnosis, leads to better outcomes, healthier communities and a stronger, more sustainable health care system.”
Nominated by Wisconsin-based ACHP member Network Health, Dr. Mark Lodes is reducing emergency department visits and expanding access to primary care, maternal health services and chronic disease management for Medicaid patients in Wisconsin through work rooted in data-driven approaches that meet people where they are. As Chief Medical Officer for Population Health and Medical Education at Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Dr. Lodes is leading initiatives that integrate social determinants of health into clinical care, strengthen collaboration between providers and health plans and expand access to coordinated services for patients with complex care needs.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award and share this recognition with my colleagues and the community members who inspire our work every day,” said Dr. Lodes. “Mr. Tyson’s tireless commitment to expanding access to quality health care and creating a healthier future for all challenges us to keep pushing forward. This award is a powerful reminder that our work must continue until everyone, regardless of their background or ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive.”
Dr. Anand R. Shah shows what is possible when health systems look beyond the exam room. As Senior Vice President of Community and Social Health at Kaiser Permanente, he is connecting members with resources addressing food insecurity, housing stability and other social needs while advancing partnerships among health care organizations, researchers and community leaders. Through initiatives such as the Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub®, Dr. Shah demonstrates how health systems can address the factors beyond clinical care that shape health outcomes.
“I am grateful to ACHP for this recognition. While I am humbled to receive it, the award really reflects the efforts of so many colleagues and community leaders who are working every day to create healthier, more equitable communities,” said Dr. Shah. “I am also deeply honored to receive an award that bears Bernard J. Tyson’s name. Bernard’s unwavering commitment to health equity, community partnership and bold leadership left a lasting impact on Kaiser Permanente and on so many of us who continue this work today. In fact, his vision for what a health system could be, and his conviction that health equity must be central to our mission, were important influences in my decision to join Kaiser Permanente. His example remains a source of personal and professional inspiration for me and many others in health care.”
Established in 2021, the Bernard J. Tyson Health Equity Award celebrates individuals and organizations whose work advances health equity and reflects Bernard Tyson’s enduring commitment to improving the health and well-being of all communities. Dr. Lodes and Dr. Shah were recognized during a reception and dinner at ACHP’s 2026 Annual Symposium on September 14 in Washington, D.C.
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About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s best local, nonprofit health plans, providing high-quality coverage to tens of millions of Americans in 40 states and D.C. ACHP is the only national organization advancing a unique partnership model of coverage and care that fosters a truly competitive market.
We believe Americans deserve the best health care in the world. Our members are on the ground in your communities, delivering innovative and competitive coverage. ACHP’s model brings together clinicians and health plans to deliver value for patients, employers and taxpayers.
