New branded recognition will spotlight the care, innovation and grit of U.S. healthcare professionals making a meaningful difference for patients, colleagues and communities.
The collaboration will recognize healthcare leaders helping strengthen care amid growing pressure on health systems.
Nominations will open on July 16, 2026 and close at 5:00 p.m. ET on August 28, 2026.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., July 16, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced with TIME the launch of the Healthcare Champion of the Year. The new branded recognition will honor healthcare professionals in the U.S., selected by Johnson & Johnson and a panel of industry experts, whose care, innovation and grit are driving health system change to advance better care for all.
Nominations for the inaugural TIME Healthcare Champion of the Year, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, a branded award, will open July 16, 2026 at www.jnj.com/healthcare-champion-of-the-year and close by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 28, 2026. The honoree will be announced leading up to TIME's "A Year in TIME" celebration, which will take place on December 9, 2026 in New York City.
Recognizing the People Shaping Health Itself
The new Healthcare Champion of the Year award will honor individuals who are shaping the future of health.
Across the country, healthcare professionals are navigating a series of the most consequential moments in healthcare. When healthcare systems are under strain, leadership at the point of care matters. It can change how a patient experiences a diagnosis, how a team pushes through pressure and how a community gets connected to care. Through this partnership, Johnson & Johnson and TIME will shine a light on healthcare leaders whose care, innovation and grit are helping make better care possible.
"At Johnson & Johnson, Our Credo begins with our responsibility to patients, doctors, nurses and all others who use our medicines and medical technology. That responsibility guides how we show up for the people at the heart of care," said Vanessa Broadhurst, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Johnson & Johnson. "Healthcare professionals bring skill, compassion and resolve to some of the most important moments in people's lives. With the Healthcare Champion of the Year Award, we proudly recognize those whose compassion, innovation, and grit are transforming patient care today and building a healthier tomorrow."
Why this Recognition Matters
Healthcare is advancing rapidly, yet gaps in access to quality care persist. The Healthcare Champion of the Year award is designed to spotlight impact, recognizing what becomes possible when healthcare professionals are supported and empowered to lead change where it matters most.