Tomah Health CEO Derek Daly has been named the Wisconsin recipient of the 2026 American Hospital Association (AHA) Grassroots Champion Award. Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) President & CEO Kyle O’Brien presented the award to Daly during the Tomah Health monthly managers meeting Oct. 13.
O’Brien praised Daly for his dedication to healthcare advocacy and his commitment to ensuring hospitals have a voice in decisions that impact patient care. “Since Derek has come to Wisconsin, he arrived with a passion for advocacy…a passion he has put into practice in one of the most consequential years for hospitals in recent memory,” said O’Brien.
He highlighted Daly’s work with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, which helped secure historic approval of a state-directed payment program, bringing millions of additional dollars to Wisconsin hospitals. These funds provide valuable resources to purchase equipment, hire staff and expand services. “This success does not happen by accident. It is the result of a strong WHA team that is advocating on your behalf, but equally important- it is the result of committed member leaders, like Derek, who make advocacy a priority,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien also recognized Daly’s leadership at both the state and federal levels and his ongoing efforts to advocate for rural healthcare. He emphasized that Daly’s success is also a reflection of the strong leadership team at Tomah Health, whose dedication allows him to take an active role in advocacy efforts. “Derek has a lot on his plate, but the time he can dedicate to our work is very valuable to the entire industry,” said O’Brien.
Daly said he was surprised and honored to receive the recognition. “To me, this is a team award and a great reflection on Tomah Health as a whole. Having such a professional organization and talented team allows me the opportunity to get involved in advocacy work at the state and federal level,” said Daly.
He said advocacy efforts are important for the hospital and healthcare. “It really has the ability to have a big impact on our hospital and the patients we serve. Through successful advocacy, we can influence things like policy change, regulatory flexibility, and reimbursement protections that solidify and sustain access to care for our patients.”
Daly also thanked the Wisconsin Hospital Association for its partnership with Tomah Health and the healthcare industry. “Wisconsin has been fortunate to have excellent access to high-quality healthcare across the state in hospitals big and small, and the Wisconsin Hospital Association has been a big part of that success, advocating on behalf of hospitals and our patients in a manner that positively impacts our operations and access to care.”
Daly is a member of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Board of Directors, the chair of the WHA Council on Rural Health, WHA Public Policy Committee and a member of the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board. He has also been an active member of WHA’s Hospitals Education & Advocacy Team (HEAT) and a contributor to the Wisconsin Hospital’s PAC & Conduit programs.