2026 MASHSMD Marketing Excellence Awards

On behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (MASHSMD) Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Excellence Awards.

As the region’s premier healthcare strategy and marketing society, MASHSMD represents a strong community of professionals advancing creativity, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. This annual awards program recognizes outstanding work produced by our members and their organizations.

Entries are judged on creativity, strategy, implementation, and results.
The competition is open to MASHSMD members, member organizations, and agencies completing work for members or non-members.

Award winners will be announced and celebrated live at the MASHSMD Annual Conference, April 20–22, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland.

With sincere thanks,
MASHSMD Board of Directors

General Information

Eligibility

• Open to individual MASHSMD members, member healthcare providers, advertising agencies, and creative firms.

• MASHSMD member agencies may submit work for healthcare clients, even if the client is not a MASHSMD member.

• Submitted work must have been completed or in market between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

• Entries must be completed by or for MASHSMD members. Member agencies may submit work for non-member healthcare organizations.

Deadlines and Entry Fees

• Final Deadline: February 7, 2026

• Payment is required at the time of submission and must be made by credit card through the entry platform.

Entry Fees

• 1 entry: $80

• 2–3 entries: $75 each

• 4–6 entries: $65 each

• 7+ entries: $50 each (maximum of 10 entries)

Award Presentation

Awards will be presented at the 2026 MASHSMD Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Benefits of Winning

Award recipients receive:

• Recognition during a dedicated presentation at the Annual Conference

• An award trophy 

• Web badges for websites and social channels

• A press release template

• Promotion through MASHSMD’s website and social channels

• Platinum winners may be asked to present their project at the Annual Conference

Judging

The MASHSMD Excellence Awards recognize creative and strategic excellence in healthcare marketing and communications.

• Two judges with relevant professional expertise review each entry.

• Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are given in each category.

• One Platinum Award is presented to the highest-scoring entry overall.

How to Submit

All entries must be submitted online through the MASHSMD Awards Entry Portal. Submission access is limited to MASHSMD members.

Step 1: Register

• Create a Judgify user profile.

• Complete the registration form for the individual responsible for the entry.

• Registration is required once and allows multiple entries under one account.

Step 2: Submit Entries

• Complete a separate submission form for each entry.

• Provide responses for Situation, Strategy, and Success (500 words maximum per section).

• Upload supporting materials, including images, links to live work, and metrics. These materials are essential for judging.

Step 3: Submit Payment

• Complete payment after all entries are submitted.

• Payment is accepted by credit card through the entry platform.
   

Categories

You may submit entries in up to six categories. The same project may not be entered into multiple categories.

Integrated Marketing Campaigns

Multi-channel initiatives working toward a shared goal, including social media, email, websites, print, advertising, events, and other marketing efforts.

Advertising Campaign

Advertising strategy, content, and creative, including:

• TV, print, and radio

• Digital and online advertising

• Out-of-home, billboard, and transit advertising

Public Relations and Communications

• PR and media relations

• Crisis communications

• Community or grassroots outreach

• Events promotion

• Internal communications

Content Creation and Management

• Blogs, newsletters, and bylined articles

• Ebooks and whitepapers

• Content strategy and management

Branding, Design, and Visuals

• Photography, video, and graphic design

• Logo and visual identity development

Innovative and Emerging Strategies

• Use of AI, AR/VR, or other emerging technologies

• Innovative data analytics applications

• Creative use of resources to solve a challenge

• Development of a winning marketing plan

Situation, Strategy, and Success Guidelines

These guidelines are recommendations, not requirements.

The Situation

Describe the market or organizational factors that created the need for the project. Outline the problem, opportunity, and objectives that guided the work.

The Strategy

Explain the methods, techniques, and approaches used to achieve objectives or solve the identified problem.

The Success

Provide quantitative evidence of results, such as inquiries, patient visits, impressions, views, media coverage, or other metrics tied to predefined goals. All supporting documentation must be uploaded with the entry.

Creative Categories Note
For graphic design, logo, photography, and writing entries, provide qualitative documentation. Explain the concept, creative approach, target audience alignment, and what makes the work distinctive and memorable. Describe the visual and emotional experience you aimed to create and how the work addressed the original challenge.