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HUP Honored for Innovation in Community Health and Cancer Care Access
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has received two 2025 Achievement Awards from the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), recognizing groundbreaking programs that tackle food insecurity and improve cancer care access.
One initiative, A Hospital Based Food Insecurity Program, earned the Community Champions Award for addressing a critical social determinant of health. Launched in 2020 by HUP nurses, the program screens patients for food insecurity and offers free, nutritionally tailored groceries through an in-hospital pantry. With support from partners like Philabundance, it has distributed nearly 100,000 pounds of food to date. The program also trains university students in addressing health disparities through community-based learning.
HUP’s second award, the Optimal Operations Award, went to the Weekend Infusion Services for Oncology Patients project, which expanded the Abramson Cancer Center’s Oncology Evaluation Center hours to seven days a week. This urgent care model helps cancer patients avoid unnecessary ER visits and hospital stays by providing timely infusions, tests, and treatments. The expanded access not only improves patient experience and outcomes but also offers greater flexibility for those juggling work and care.
These award-winning efforts exemplify HUP’s commitment to high-quality, equitable care that meets patients’ needs inside and outside the hospital. Philly Fights Cancer is #PennProud to support and celebrate the innovative work being done at Abramson Cancer Center to advance equitable, patient-centered care and improve the health of our communities. Read more about these awards at the link below:
Hospital honored for food aid, expanded cancer care access | Penn Medicine
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The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has received two 2025 Achievement Awards from the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), recognizing groundbreaking programs that tackle food insecurity and improve cancer care access.
One initiative, A Hospital Based Food Insecurity Program, earned the Community Champions Award for addressing a critical social determinant of health. Launched in 2020 by HUP nurses, the program screens patients for food insecurity and offers free, nutritionally tailored groceries through an in-hospital pantry. With support from partners like Philabundance, it has distributed nearly 100,000 pounds of food to date. The program also trains university students in addressing health disparities through community-based learning.
HUP’s second award, the Optimal Operations Award, went to the Weekend Infusion Services for Oncology Patients project, which expanded the Abramson Cancer Center’s Oncology Evaluation Center hours to seven days a week. This urgent care model helps cancer patients avoid unnecessary ER visits and hospital stays by providing timely infusions, tests, and treatments. The expanded access not only improves patient experience and outcomes but also offers greater flexibility for those juggling work and care.
These award-winning efforts exemplify HUP’s commitment to high-quality, equitable care that meets patients’ needs inside and outside the hospital. Philly Fights Cancer is #PennProud to support and celebrate the innovative work being done at Abramson Cancer Center to advance equitable, patient-centered care and improve the health of our communities. Read more about these awards at the link below:
Hospital honored for food aid, expanded cancer care access | Penn Medicine