IBJ Recognizes CICOA’s Community Health Worker Program for Excellence in Health Care

IBJ Media hosted the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 25th Annual Excellence in Health Care Awards on Feb. 10, celebrating individuals and organizations making a difference in health care across Central Indiana.

Featuring a conversation with Dennis M. Murphy, president and chief executive officer of Indiana University Health, the event honored recipients in ten categories, including community achievement in health care, innovations in health care, mental health advocacy, physician, non-physician, volunteer, pharmacist, health care executive, health care educator and career achievement.

Among the 2026 honorees for Community Achievement in Health Care was CICOA’s Community Health Worker Program.

CICOA was recognized for its proactive Community Health Worker (CHW) program, which tackles the “revolving door” of hospital readmissions by addressing the social barriers that clinical care alone cannot reach. While traditional medicine focuses on the 20% of health that happens within hospital walls, CICOA’s CHWs focus on the other 80%—the social determinants of health like food insecurity, unstable housing, and isolation. By deploying trusted, non-clinical advocates directly into the community, the program ensures that a patient’s recovery isn’t derailed by the challenges of daily life.

The program’s success is rooted in its unique, human-centered delivery model. Currently operating at eight community partner sites across Central Indiana, CHWs provide up to 90 days of intensive, in-person support. These workers, often hired from the same neighborhoods they serve, build a level of trust that allows them to solve complex problems—from securing reliable transportation for follow-up appointments to advocating for clients during housing crises. This “upstream” intervention represents a strategic shift for CICOA, moving from reactive support for those in declining health to proactive prevention that stops a crisis before it starts.

The CHW program “is a way to not just meet people once they’re already [in declining health], but hopefully meet people organically, in their community, and support them earlier,” says McKenzie Reed, director of community health programs.

This investment in social care has proven to be profoundly cost-effective, costing just $0.10 per client daily. The impact is measurable and significant: the program has led to a 64% decrease in hospital visits for participants. Furthermore, an evaluation by Purdue University found that the initiative helped avoid nearly 0.8 emergency and 0.3 inpatient admissions per client. By providing a bridge of trust and stability, CICOA is not only improving individual lives but also reducing the burden on the region’s overstretched healthcare systems.

Read more in the special edition article at IBJ.com (subscription required): 2026 Excellence in Health Care: CICOA program aims to keep seniors out of hospital

About the Excellence in Health Care Awards:

“IBJ’s Excellence in Health Care Awards shine a spotlight on leaders who are not just responding to today’s challenges, but actively shaping what health care in Indiana will look like in the future,” said Mitch Frazier, President of IBJ Media. “This year’s honorees reflect the innovation, collaboration, and commitment it takes to move health care forward – whether through breakthrough research, exceptional patient care, or leadership that drives progress.”

For more and to learn more about the honorees, visit https://www.ibj.com/excellence-in-health-care-2026.