DALLAS—Homecare Homebase (HCHB) announced the winners of its 2026 Customer Awards and the recipients of its scholarships for homecare aides. The annual programs recognize organizations and individuals demonstrating excellence across clinical quality, operational performance, industry leadership, innovation and professional development.
"The organizations and individuals recognized this year are demonstrating what meaningful progress in home-based care looks like," Homecare Homebase President Luke Rutledge said. "From improving quality and operational performance to advocating for the industry, and investing in the next generation of caregivers, their work is helping move care at home forward. We're proud to recognize their achievements and the impact they have on patients, families and communities."
The HCHB Customer Awards recognize agencies and individuals who are leading the way in patient care and performance improvement. Together, these honorees represent the compassion, ingenuity and commitment moving home-based care forward.
The Industry Advocate Award highlights individual contributions in patient care, performance, innovation or regulatory affairs. It recognizes leaders whose advocacy advances quality and efficiency while elevating patient experiences across communities. This year's winner is C. Todd Robbins of Covenant Health Homecare and Hospice.
The Innovation and Achievement Award recognizes organizations that have developed innovative solutions to address challenges within the home care market, highlighting forward-thinking approaches to technology and process improvements that enhance outcomes and streamline care delivery. This year's winner is THEMA Health Services.
The Quality Award for Home Health recognizes agencies that achieve a 5-star rating in the CMS Quality of Patient Care metrics. These organizations consistently deliver top-tier clinical outcomes and patient-centered care, setting the standard for performance across the field. This year's home health winners include:
- VNS Health
- Americare CSS
- Reliant at Home
- Texas Healthcare Solutions
- Lifecare Health Services
- Acacia Health
The Quality Award for Hospice honors agencies that achieve a score of 100 in the Hospice Quality Reporting Program, reflecting exceptional quality metrics and compassionate, individualized care that honors patient dignity and comfort. This year's hospice winners include:
- Agape Care Group
- Affinity Hospice Management
- Interim HealthCare of the Upstate and Midlands
- Stillwater Hospice
- Presbyterian Homes
- Community Nursing Services
- Harmony Hospice Care
- Healing Hands Healthcare
- Lifecare Health Services
The KPI Excellence Award for Home Health honors agencies excelling in acute care hospitalizations, highlighting strong care coordination and proactive approaches that reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve outcomes. This year's home health winners include:
- Optum Home & Community Care Delivery
- Vivie
- The New Jewish Home – Home Care
The KPI Excellence Award for Hospice recognizes agencies based on hospice visits in the last days of life, which concentrates on visits provided in the last three vulnerable days of life for a patient. These agencies' results reflect a deep dedication to ensuring patients and families receive attentive, compassionate support when it matters most. This year's hospice winners are:
- Optum Home & Community Care Delivery
- Aveanna Healthcare
- Presbyterian Homes
The Home Care Aide Scholarship Program recognizes the compassion, dedication and professionalism of caregivers who form the foundation of home-based care. This initiative empowers home care aides in their professional advancement by providing scholarship opportunities that foster growth, education and continued excellence in the field.
The 2026 Home Care Aide Scholarship recipients are:
- Katrina Peck from Bethany Hospice
- Leslie Bohanon from Compassus Hospice
- Xian Vance from Compassus Hospice
Each recipient will receive a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their commitment to compassionate care and continued professional development.
"Recognizing excellence is also about recognizing the people behind the progress," Rutledge said. "We congratulate each of this year's Customer Award winners and scholarship recipients and thank them for the work they do every day to strengthen home-based care."