Governor’s Council on Wellness Opens Nominations for the 2026 Health Champion Award

The Governor’s Council on Wellness is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Health Champion Award, which honors one outstanding individual and one exemplary organization in Kansas that demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing health, fitness and wellness in their communities.

Nominees may come from a wide range of fields, including healthcare professionals, educators, community leaders, volunteers and others who are working to improve the well-being of Kansans. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts have meaningfully strengthened health awareness, disease prevention and overall wellness across the state.

“We look forward to seeing this year’s nominees and celebrating the incredible work happening throughout Kansas,” said Douglas Neal, GCOW Awards Committee Chair. “We encourage Kansans to recognize the Health Champions in their communities by submitting a nomination.”

The nomination form is easy to complete and is available online. Nominators will need to provide a short description of the nominee's achievements, as well as basic contact information. This information is necessary to notify the finalists if they are selected.

The deadline to submit the nomination form is Feb. 13, 2026. Winners will be notified by email, and the 2026 Health Champion Award recipients will be announced in a press release later that month. 

The awards ceremony will take place on April 23, 2026, during the Community Health Promotion Summit at the Embassy Suites in Olathe, KS. 

Access the nomination form in English.

Access the nomination form in Spanish. 

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