Celebrating Hospital Teams, Advocacy Champions

May 14, 2025

During HAP’s Leadership Summit this week, we celebrated individuals, teams, and organizations who are championing our vision for a healthy Pennsylvania for all. Here are some key highlights:

Video: Advancing Care and Community Health

The 2025 Achievement Awards honor 12 projects led by Pennsylvania health care teams that personify hospitals’ mission to provide high-quality care and improve their communities’ health. Winning teams were recognized during the summit. Watch the 2025 Achievement Awards video above to learn more.
 

Championing Pennsylvania Hospitals

For the inaugural Commonwealth Commitment to Care award, HAP honored state Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana). Pittman, who serves as Senate majority leader, has been a tireless champion for hospitals and patients, and has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to maintaining access to care in communities across the state.

“Our distressed hospital funding and the newly approved state directed payment for rural hospitals are examples of the way Joe Pittman has delivered for our hospitals, patients and communities we care for,” said HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings. “We are grateful to have him on our side.”
 

Recognizing Outstanding Advocates

HAP Board Chair Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO of WellSpan Health, presents the Advocate of the Year Award to Janet Passley-Clarke along with Nicole Stallings, HAP president and CEO, and Stephanie Watkins, HAP SVP, advocacy and policy.

Janet Passley-Clarke, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC—Penn State Health’s advanced practice manager – psychiatry and vice chair, diversity, equity, and inclusion, department of psychiatry and behavioral health—was recognized with the inaugural Advocate of the Year award for her significant contributions to hospital advocacy.

Bob Reilly, vice president and government relations officer, WellSpan Health, was recognized with the AHA Grassroots Champion award for his significant contributions to state and federal hospital advocacy.
 

Leading Political Action

The American Hospital Association political action committee (AHAPAC), in partnership with The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s political action committee (HAPAC), recognized two hospital leaders with the Most Valuable PAC Player Award (MVPP) for outstanding efforts in elevating the hospital community’s political advocacy.

• Cathy Cardillo, director, state advocacy for Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic (pictured above)
• John Herman, MBA, FACHE, CEO, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

HAPAC Chair Mark Rubino, president of AHN Forbes and Allegheny Valley hospitals, presents the HAPAC Legacy Awards to Patty Donley along with Nicole Stallings, HAP president and CEO.

HAPAC presented two new awards to hospital leaders for outstanding leadership in supporting Pennsylvania hospitals’ political action.

• HAPAC Legacy Award — Patty Donley, RN, DNP, NEA-A, senior vice president and chief nursing executive, WellSpan Health
• HAPAC Leadership Award — Michael Flanagan, president and CEO, St. Clair Health

Congratulations to all the honorees!