The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) has announced Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO) as the recipient of the 2026 Achievement Citation at Assembly 2026. The organization was honored at the Assembly 2026 awards banquet on June 3.
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach addresses critical global needs by strengthening health systems, expanding access to medical care, and promoting sustainable development. As a Medical Supply and Equipment Recovery Organization, HSMO collects, refurbishes and distributes quality medical supplies and equipment in low-resource countries. Beyond donations, HSMO provides technical biomedical support, empowering partner communities to build lasting health infrastructure, equip trained professionals, and create economic development. HSMO aims to ensure every donation is usable, repairable and appropriate to the setting.
“Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is honored to be selected for this prestigious award,” said Erica Smith, executive director of HSMO. “Our work is a collaborative effort that depends on many Catholic health systems around the nation for donations. Across the globe, each year Mission Outreach’s contributions support clinical healthcare access for 28,000,000 people in low-resource areas. This recognition from CHA shows the impact that can be made when Catholic health entities work together to help people and communities in need.”
Each year, CHA’s Achievement Citation recognizes an outstanding program or service that exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to carry on Jesus’ mission of compassion and healing. The Achievement Citation is given to a CHA-member organization that is the creator and lead sponsor or partner in an original, bold, innovative program that delivers measurable results for the community served. Programs are selected because they are inspirational for the sponsoring organization, the people it serves, the community and beyond, and they will be available for replication within CHA’s membership.
The annual Catholic Health Assembly is the largest gathering of Catholic healthcare leaders in the United States. This 2 1/2-day event is hosted in an interactive platform where attendees engage with speakers, connect with colleagues, and create new friendships.
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a medical surplus recovery organization that is a ministry of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), based in Springfield, Illinois. HSHS also operates nine hospitals across Illinois, including HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield; HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon; HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham; HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur; HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese; HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville; HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield; HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland; and HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville. The hospitals donate their surplus medical supplies and equipment to Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach – helping the organization address critical global health care needs.