The branded U.S. recognition opens nominations on July 16, 2026 and will honor a healthcare professional ahead of TIME’s Dec. 9 “A Year in TIME” event in New York City.
Johnson & Johnson said it is partnering with TIME to launch the Healthcare Champion of the Year, a branded U.S. recognition aimed at honoring healthcare professionals whose care, innovation and grit are helping drive change across the health system. Nominations for the inaugural award open July 16, 2026 and close at 5:00 p.m. ET on August 28, 2026, with the honoree set to be announced before TIME’s “A Year in TIME” celebration on December 9, 2026 in New York City. Eligible nominees include physicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, surgeons, community health workers, care navigators and other healthcare professionals involved in clinical care or care delivery in the United States. Johnson & Johnson said nominees can be at any career stage but should show real-world impact for patients, colleagues and communities, including through grit, innovation or patient care. The company said the winner will be chosen by Johnson & Johnson and a panel of Johnson & Johnson-selected industry experts. The initiative is framed as part of Johnson & Johnson’s broader effort to support the health workforce through J&J CareCommunity, its global social impact platform focused on nurses and community health workers.