AtlantiCare Recognized with National Bridge Award for Advancing Equity in COVID-19 Care

AtlantiCare has been named the recipient of the 2025 AMGA Bridge Award, a national recognition honoring efforts to translate research into meaningful improvements in care. The award highlights AtlantiCare’s leadership in addressing disparities in COVID-19 management through community engagement and system-wide change.

“This award reflects AtlantiCare’s mission in its truest form, standing with our community and doing the work required to close the gaps that hold people back from getting the care they deserve,” said Christian Ragland, Assistant Vice President of Health Equity at AtlantiCare. “Equity comes in the work and that’s only possible because of our team members who show up every day with purpose, and a business community that’s willing to work together for something bigger than any one organization. We’re grateful to AMGA for recognizing the impact of this work and the partnerships that made it possible.”

In partnership with Stockton University’s Engelberg Leadership Scholarship Program and other local organizations, AtlantiCare conducted a comprehensive needs assessment to better understand barriers to equitable COVID-19 care. Insights from both clinicians and patients guided the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving access, trust, and outcomes in vulnerable communities.

The AMGA Bridge Award, part of the organization’s ASPIRE initiative, celebrates member organizations that effectively implement research-informed strategies with lasting impact. AtlantiCare is only the second health system in the nation to receive the award.

Elizabeth Ciemins, PhD, MPH, MA, AMGA’s Senior Vice President of Research and Analytics, praised AtlantiCare’s work as an example of how implementation research can drive real-world change across diverse populations.

The award was announced at AMGA’s Annual Conference and presented to AtlantiCare in Atlantic City.