Nurturing Health Care Quality in Minnesota

Stratis Health announced that it will distribute $40,000 in grants through its annual ​Building Healthier Communities​ Awards.

Known for building capability across settings and services to accelerate improvement, demonstrate value, and further a safe, patient-centered health system, the Stratis Health Building Healthier Communities Awards are small grants that catalyze collaboration and innovation to nurture health care quality in Minnesota.

Stratis Health has awarded more than 60 Building Healthier Communities grants totaling over $900,000 since the program’s inception in 2007. The 2026 awards are especially relevant in supporting health care access for people and communities affected by recent policy and program changes.

“We are truly honored to stand beside organizations that are not just improving health but transforming lives and strengthening communities, which is more important now than ever,” said Jennifer Lundblad, President and CEO. “Their work brings us all closer to a future where everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, has the opportunity to achieve their best health.”

2026 Building Healthier Communities Award Recipients

​Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity
Award: $20,000
Program: Rx Pathway
Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity is a statewide coalition of physicians and other health professionals working toward health equity for all Minnesotans. Their RxPathway is a low-literacy, patient-facing tool that helps community members understand the steps needed to obtain prescribed medications after a clinic visit. Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity will use the Stratis Health funds to strengthen RxPathway through a partnership with Indigenous Roots and a small group of supportive pharmacy partners. Funding will help train IR staff, volunteers, and community health workers to use RxPathway cards in real-world outreach settings, such as food distribution, mutual aid, legal support, community events, and other trusted touchpoints where community members already seek help. Funding will also support early pharmacy partnership development in the Twin Cities to inform practical workflows for medication navigation, patient-centered pharmacy communication, and cost-reduction strategies using existing resources.

​COPAL​
Award: $20,000
Program: Preventive Health Programs
COPAL, Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina, is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. COPAL will use Stratis Health funds to expand and enhance its preventive health programs, connecting people with services and resources, improving access, and breaking down barriers. The funds will support Spanish-language curriculum and workshops for community health education focused on chronic disease, cardiovascular care, and health navigators. Importantly, the health education content is created in Spanish, not translated. With dedicated teams in the Twin Cities, Mankato, and Rochester, COPAL is bridging the gap between urban and rural communities, ensuring that resources available in metropolitan areas are equally accessible to their rural counterparts.