For Our Patients, For Our Community

The Grassroots Champion Award, presented by the American Hospital Association (AHA) to one person in each state selected by that state’s hospital association, is awarded to hospital leaders who work to educate elected officials on a hospital’s role in the community and efforts to broaden the base of support for healthcare organizations in order to advocate for patients and their care. Dr. Jones was selected for his tireless efforts to ensure that the voices of hospitals and patients in North Central Washington are heard and well represented to policymakers.

“I am honored by this recognition for the work we have been doing in advocacy. It was wonderful to see this work and its importance to our patients recognized, and I was personally humbled and grateful for the show of support,” said Dr. Jones. “Advocacy is not just about policy; it’s about people. Every conversation I have with legislators is rooted in the stories of our patients and staff. This award is an incredible honor, and it reflects the importance of making sure those stories guide decisions that impact care.”

The award comes after a busy year in advocacy for Confluence Health. Dr. Jones has been a visible and influential advocate, meeting with key political leaders to address critical healthcare issues and ensuring the healthcare needs of North Central Washington are represented in the decisions under consideration in both Olympia and Washington, D.C. In April 2025, he participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Kim Schrier alongside other local healthcare leaders to highlight the impact of proposed changes to Medicaid, Medicare, and reimbursement rates on rural communities. More recently in August, Dr. Jones met with Representative Dan Newhouse in Brewster to discuss federal healthcare legislation and its implications for rural hospitals. He also engaged directly that same month with national decision-makers, including a meeting with Stephanie Carlton, deputy administrator and chief of staff for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to provide input on rural transformation programs and advocate for policies that protect access to care. In addition to meetings and efforts to directly engage with lawmakers, Dr. Jones has also regularly joined letters and other statements advocating for programs and policies that will protect access and healthcare for the residents of North Central Washington. The Grassroots Champion Award was presented in recognition of these consistent and wide-ranging efforts at all levels of government and policymaking.

“These conversations matter because they shape the future of healthcare for our region,” Dr. Jones added. “Our mission at Confluence Health is local care by and for our community. I am proud to represent our patients and our dedicated teams in these discussions as we advocate for policies that ensure access to high-quality care for everyone.”