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Published on July 19, 2024

Cagle Named a Grassroots Champion by the American Hospital Association  

The award recognizes the Cone Health President and CEO’s efforts to educate others on the importance of bringing better health to all.  

  

Greensboro — Cone Health President and CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle has been honored with the prestigious Grassroots Champion award from the American Hospital Association (AHA) for 2024. This recognition underscores Cagle's exceptional leadership and advocacy within the health care community.  

Cone Health President and CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle

The Grassroots Champion award, presented annually by the AHA, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing medicine and health care policy through grassroots advocacy. Cagle was nominated for this honor by the North Carolina Healthcare Association in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication to improving health care delivery—especially in urban and rural areas with lower life expectancies. 

"Receiving the Grassroots Champion award is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply grateful to the American Hospital Association and the North Carolina Healthcare Association for this recognition," says Cagle. "I remain committed to advocating for policies that ensure access to high-quality health care for everyone in every community we serve.”  

“Dr. Cagle effectively advocates lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels about the important role of hospitals in their communities,” said Matthew J. Wright, regional executive with AHA. “The American Hospital Association appreciates Dr. Cagle’s grassroots advocacy to increase access to care, enhance patient safety and care quality, support our health workforce, and instill the public’s confidence in North Carolina’s hospitals.” 

Cagle joined Cone Health in 2011 leading quality improvement efforts. She became president and CEO in 2021, leading Cone Health through the COVID pandemic and the recent announcement that the organization will become part of Risant Health. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing health care initiatives aimed at improving patient health and enhancing community health.