America’s Essential Hospitals Receives Commonwealth Fund Grant to Support AI Adoption in Essential Hospitals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. - America's Essential Hospitals has received a Commonwealth Fund grant to advance artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across essential hospitals.

Essential Hospitals Institute, the research, dissemination, education, and leadership development arm of America's Essential Hospitals, will use the grant to map the AI landscape within essential hospitals to understand current AI use, barriers, and opportunities. The Institute will also convene members in a new monthly Artificial Intelligence Interest Group designed to foster collaboration and shared learning around responsible AI governance, implementation, and outcomes.

"This support from The Commonwealth Fund enables us to accelerate learning and collaboration across essential hospitals so they can adopt AI responsibly and effectively in service of their communities," said Kalpana Ramiah, DrPH, MBA, MSc, vice president of innovation at America's Essential Hospitals and director, Essential Hospitals Institute.

"AI is emerging as an integral member of the modern health care team, and it is already playing a vital role in the mission of democratizing access and delivering high-quality care to patients and communities," said Claude Pirtle, president, Heartland Whole Health Institute and member of the Essential Hospitals Institute Board of Directors. "The Commonwealth Fund's support will help essential hospitals explore how it can be implemented in thoughtful way that align with the needs of both patients and providers."

The AI Interest Group will provide a peer learning platform for members to:

• Establish governance protocols for responsible AI use.
• Monitor ethical innovations and policy developments.
• Explore clinical and nonclinical applications of AI.
• Foster cross-sector collaboration and co-development of solutions.
• Share practical insights to advance health outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability.

Sign up here to join the AI Interest Group and email list for all items related to the Essential Hospitals Institute's AI portfolio.

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About America's Essential Hospitals
America's Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America's Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health and access to health care. We support our more than 350 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health, and other services. Supported by Essential Hospitals Institute, the association's research and education arm, essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value. 

About Essential Hospitals Institute
Essential Hospitals Institute is the research, education, dissemination, and leadership development arm of America's Essential Hospitals. The Institute supports the nation's essential hospitals as they provide high-quality, equitable, and affordable care to their communities. Working with members of America's Essential Hospitals, we identify promising practices from the field, conduct research, disseminate innovative strategies, and help our members improve their organizational performance. We do all of this with an eye toward improving individual and population health, especially for vulnerable people.

Contact: James SwannDirector of [email protected]