WakeMed Behavioral Health Network Receives Statewide Award
July 16, 2026RALEIGH, N.C. (July 16, 2026) — The WakeMed Behavioral Health Network (WBHN) has been awarded the North Carolina Healthcare Association’s 2026 Highsmith Award for Innovation. Named for Dr. John Highsmith, the first president of NCHA, this award is presented to a member institution or to an individual/team employed by an NCHA member institution in recognition of innovation that creates value for patients/consumers of healthcare. WakeMed received the award July 16 at NCHA’s Summer Membership Meeting in Asheville.
Since launching in 2017, the WakeMed Behavioral Health Network has built a coordinated network of behavioral health care providers and community organizations that improve access to care while helping patients receive the right care at the right time. Today, WBHN has more than 50 participating members across North Carolina. The network’s coordinated approach has helped reduce referrals to state psychiatric hospitals by nearly 100%, while improving how patients access behavioral health and community support.
“The WakeMed Behavioral Health Network is a powerful example of what can happen when a community unites around the goal of improving access to mental health care,” said Rick Shrum, vice president & Chief Strategy Officer, who led efforts to establish the network. “We are incredibly grateful to the many providers who have and continue to join the network with the shared purpose of helping individuals find the care they need when and where they need it. Our hope is that this model inspires communities throughout the country to build similar networks, expanding access to behavioral health services and positively impacting the lives of countless patients and families.”
Designed as a whole-person continuum of care, WBHN brings together three subnetworks: the Network for Advancing Behavioral Health, the Connected Community and the Triangle Behavioral Health Council. Together, they coordinate inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services with housing, transportation, food assistance, and other community resources to better support patients beyond the hospital.
The network developed CareMatch, a referral platform that helps emergency department patients leave the hospital with a confirmed appointment while connecting providers to coordinate care.
Together with their partners, WakeMed continues to strengthen behavioral health through a community-driven commitment to care for the whole person with dignity and compassion by connecting patients to the right care with the right provider at the right time.
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 973-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, a mental health & well-being hospital, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 175 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 12,800 employees, 1,300 volunteers, and 1,300 affiliated physicians along with a network of 900+ primary care and specialty providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About NCHA
Founded in 1918, the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support, and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable, and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.