EvergreenHealth CEO & COO Earn American Hospital Association's Grassroots Champion Award

The Washington State Hospital Association presented the award, which honors those who demonstrate exceptional advocacy for patients and communities

KIRKLAND, WA — The American Hospital Association recently recognized EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, and Chief Operating and Strategy Officer Chris Bredeson, MBA, FACHE, as Washington's 2026 Grassroots Champions. The annual award honors hospital leaders in each state who demonstrate exceptional advocacy on behalf of the patients and communities the hospital serves.

Grassroots advocacy is considered a foundation of effective health care policy, as it brings real-world perspectives to lawmakers, helping to shape laws and regulations that benefit both patients and health care providers.

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), which nominated Dr. Palazzo and Bredeson and presented the award, highlighted that both leaders testified multiple times on issues important to preserving local health care delivery. They also built strong and collaborative relationships with legislators, and are consistent and effective voices in the media, readily stepping forward to speak on issues critical to hospitals and patients.

"During the 2025 legislative session, Dr. Palazzo and Chris were tireless advocates for Washington's hospitals," said WSHA Vice President of Government Affairs Ashlen Strong, JD, MPH. "Through their advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to patients and communities, Dr. Ettore Palazzo and Chris Bredeson exemplify what it means to be true grassroots champions."

The Grassroots Champions Award celebrates leaders who:

• Advocate for patients and hospitals by engaging directly with legislators at the state and local levels.
• Promote community health initiatives and strengthen health care delivery systems.
• Serve as models for effective grassroots advocacy, demonstrating how local leadership can shape policy and preserve health care resources.

"It's a true honor to be recognized by our peers for such a core component of our role as health care leaders," said Dr. Palazzo. "The act of serving our community and seeing the results of those efforts is the most gratifying part of this work, and our hope is that this recognition helps inspire others to take action in their own communities."

Bredeson emphasized that the entire EvergreenHealth team shares the honor and the effort: "Last year was significant for us as a health system, and while some of us were more visible to the public than others, countless individuals at EvergreenHealth contributed to our grassroots efforts in 2025 and beyond."

Strong presented Dr. Palazzo and Bredeson with the award at the EvergreenHealth Foundation's 2026 Evergreen Gala.

Learn about EvergreenHealth's leadership and history at www.evergreenhealth.com/about-us.