GLASSBORO, NJ (April 19, 2023) – Acenda Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) will honor the recipients of its second annual “Momentum Awards” in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, April 25 at 12:00 p.m. The Momentum Awards celebrate industry professionals who are using innovation and disruptions to move behavioral health care forward.

Launched in 2021 by Acenda Integrated Health, AIHI integrates insights from across Health & Human Services to advance the behavioral health sectors in the areas of Innovation, Population Health, Policy & Advocacy, and Research.

“We’re so excited to be able to recognize these amazing individuals and organizations for their innovations in our sector. They truly exemplify the spirit of the Momentum Awards,” states Melissa Fox, MHA, FACMPE, FACHE, Chief Operation Officer at Acenda.

Acenda is proud to announce this year’s awardees:

The Advocacy Champion Award will be presented to New Jersey’s First Lady, Tammy Murphy, for her tireless advocacy in the disparities related to the state’s maternal and infant mortality rates and creating an environment in New Jersey where women can have healthy and successful pregnancies. On Maternal Health Awareness Day 2019, First Lady Tammy Murphy launched Nurture NJ, a statewide awareness campaign committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality and ensuring equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities. This campaign focuses on improving collaboration and programming between all departments, agencies, and stakeholders to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable place in the nation to give birth and raise a baby.

The Sector Innovator Award will be presented to i2i Population Health. Justin Neece, Chief Executive Officer, will be accepting on their behalf. i2i Population Health is a dynamic, innovative organization that is dedicated to leveraging technology and strategic alliances in order to improve health outcomes and reduce care disparities. Their key areas of focus are reflective of their forward-thinking approach and their commitment to supporting providers and building systems which adapt to the needs of changing and diverse communities across the country. i2i is the nation’s largest population health technology company serving the underserved, safety net market. The organization’s solution platform publishes normalized clinical and administrative data through a unique quality management and care coordination application, driving improved outcomes in quality program performance.

The Research Pioneer Award will recognize Rutgers Center for State Health Policy (CSHP). Accepting the award on behalf of Rutgers CSHP will be Dr. Joel Cantor, Professor of Public Policy at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and founding Director of the Center for State Health Policy at Rutgers University. Dr. Cantor and the Rutgers CSHP are leaders within the state regarding research related to health-specific policy. Their commitment to quality and impactful research practices is only equaled by their openness to partnerships and community-focused collaborations. Nationally recognized for its contributions to health policy decision-making, the Center provides analytic expertise in the areas of Access and Coverage, Health and Long-Term Care Workforce, Health System Performance Improvement, Long-Term Services and Supports, and Population Health.

The Population Health Leader Award will honor South Jersey Institute for Population Health, accepted by Nicole Vaughn, PhD, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs at Rowan University and Maomi Marmorstein, PhD, Associate Professor at Rowan University. The South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) is committed to leveraging research, innovative collaborations, and meaningful partnerships with a variety of stakeholders to improve the health and well-being of residents in South Jersey.

The Partnership Award will be presented to Inspira Health, accepted by Amy Mansue, President and Chief Executive Officer. Amy Mansue and the Inspira Health System team are the epitome of a health system partner that understands the larger need of communities, and the importance of engaging local and statewide stakeholders to improve health for all. In addition to opening seven new locations to serve local residents, the system hosted more than 100 community events, partnered with multiple community stakeholders in the implementation of violence prevention initiatives for residents, and even partnered with Rowan College of South Jersey to improve the pipeline of healthcare employees.

This year’s 2023 Momentum Awards will be streamed LIVE on the Acenda YouTube channel on April 25^th at 12:00 pm.

About Acenda Integrated Health 

Acenda Integrated Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to industry-leading prevention, treatment and wellness services compassionately delivered to ensure that every individual, family and community achieves their greatest potential. Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services, providing over 100 health and social service programs at 60+ locations throughout a 12-county region in New Jersey. For more information, visit acendahealth.org.