WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has named Neil L. Pruitt Jr., Chairman and CEO of PruittHealth, Inc., headquartered in Norcross, GA, as the 2024 recipient of the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award. This award honors individuals who have significantly advanced quality performance in long term and post-acute care.
"Neil has been instrumental in advancing quality care standards through his strategic initiatives and partnerships," said Mark Parkinson, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO. "His leadership has set new benchmarks and fostered a culture of continuous improvement that has enhanced the lives of residents and staff. His dedication to excellence in long term care is truly exemplary and serves as an inspiration to us all."
Pruitt has been a tireless advocate for quality in long term care, contributing to policies and programs focused on quality improvement. As Board Chair for AHCA, he established the quality and regulatory divisions in 2011 and launched the Quality Initiative in 2012, leading to a nearly 50 percent reduction in antipsychotic use in nursing homes through a national partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). He also oversaw the enhancement of AHCA/NCAL's LTC Trend Tracker platform to help members track their quality data and helped secure funding for the Center for Long Term Care Quality and Innovation at Brown University in 2014.
Under Pruitt's leadership, AHCA developed and received endorsement from the National Quality Forum for post-acute care quality measures, including functional outcome measures in mobility and self-care, hospitalization, and discharge to the community. These measures influenced CMS's Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program and led to changes in how CMS measures discharge to the community. He was also influential in AHCA's support of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act in 2014, establishing the Medicare Value-Based Purchasing program, and the creation of the CoreQ satisfaction measure, now a standard for satisfaction measurement in skilled nursing and assisted living communities.
"Neil's strategic vision and commitment to unifying quality efforts have profoundly shaped our approach to regulatory and payment issues," said Chris Downing, President and CEO of the Georgia Health Care Association. "This integration has led to significant improvements in care standards and outcomes for residents. His leadership in driving quality initiatives has set a high bar for long term care excellence."
Pruitt established the Quality Cabinet at AHCA/NCAL, consolidating all quality-related committees to streamline the Association's approach to regulatory, the Five-Star Quality Rating System, and payment issues. His efforts have significantly raised national standards and improved care for residents.
In addition to his role at AHCA, Pruitt served as Chair of the Georgia Health Care Association. In 2013, he was appointed to the federal Commission for Long Term Care, a 15-member panel tasked with developing plans for a comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality system ensuring long term care for older adults and people with disabilities. He also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University System of Georgia Foundation and currently serves as a Board Member for the Georgia Regents Health System.
Each year, AHCA presents the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award to an individual who has made significant national contributions to advancing quality performance in long term and post-acute care. Recipients display leadership in the development, promotion, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in measurable outcomes.
Pruitt will be formally presented with the award during Delivering Solutions 24, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.