[CHICAGO, ILLINOIS] — The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) today officially kicked off its 2026 Summit, Quality in Action, at the Chicago Marriott Marquis — marking the largest gathering in the organization’s history with record attendance from nonprofit hospice and advanced illness care leaders across the country.
Over the next three days, attendees will hear directly from national healthcare thought leaders, senior leadership at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the CMS Innovation Center. The Summit will feature plenary sessions, interactive breakout discussions, and a series of networking and social events — bringing together peers from every corner of the nation, from Hawaii to New England.
“As we kick off our 2026 Summit here in Chicago, this level of attendance speaks to who our members are and the role they continue to play across the country,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, Founder and CEO of NPHI. “They are showing up because the work matters, and because they want to be part of what comes next. Here in Chicago, they will hear directly from some of the most important voices influencing healthcare policy and innovation in this country — and they will take those insights back home to strengthen care for patients and their families.”
Throughout the Summit, NPHI will also recognize three outstanding leaders and organizations for their contributions to the field:
- The 2026 Lifetime in Excellence Award: Jay Mahoney, former President of the National Hospice Organization and former Executive Director of Boulder County Hospice
- Healthcare in Action Innovation Award: Abraham A. Brody and the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- The 2026 Chirag Patel Legacy Award: Edward W. Martin, MD, MPH, FACP, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer at HopeHealth
“We are thrilled to be hosting our members in Chicago for our 2026 Summit: Quality in Action. When our members are together in one place, it creates space for honest conversations and real exchange,” said Carole Fisher, President of NPHI. “That time together matters. It’s where ideas take shape and where people leave feeling reconnected to the work and to each other.”
The 2026 Summit reflects NPHI’s continued commitment to elevating nonprofit hospice and advanced illness providers as leaders in delivering compassionate, community-based care and shaping the future of healthcare in the United States and beyond.
For more information about NPHI and the 2026 Summit, visit www.nphihealth.org.
