Black River Health is proud to announce that Julia Smith, Vice President of Patient Care Services, has been named the recipient of the 2025 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Wisconsin Regent’s Award for Young Healthcare Executive of the Year.
Presented by the ACHE Wisconsin Regent and selected by the ACHE WI Regent Advisory Council, this prestigious award recognizes healthcare executives under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare management excellence. The award was formally presented during the 2025 ACHE Wisconsin Annual Conference.
Julia Smith was selected for her outstanding leadership, innovative management practices, and her commitment to advancing the mission and values of Black River Health. Since assuming her role, Julia has played a critical role in expanding access to high-quality care, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and strengthening community partnerships.
“Julia exemplifies the very best of emerging healthcare leadership,” said Carl Selvick, CEO of Black River Health. “Her strategic vision, dedication to patient-centered care, and ability to inspire and lead teams have had a profound impact not just on our organization, but on the community we serve. We are incredibly proud of her well-deserved recognition.”
The ACHE Young Healthcare Executive Award criteria include leadership ability, innovative and creative management, executive capability in organizational development, and active involvement in community and professional activities. Julia’s contributions reflect the spirit of the award through her involvement in civic health initiatives, mentorship of emerging healthcare leaders, and advocacy for excellence in patient care.
A member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Julia continues to support the organization’s mission through participation in educational programming and professional development efforts, both locally and statewide.
Additional information regarding the ACHE award and qualifications to be considered can be found at https:///wisconsin.ache.org/chapter-awards/.