Valued Voice

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) presented its Advocacy All-Star Award to Children’s Wisconsin at the group’s annual Advocacy Day event on Feb. 25, attended by 1,100 advocates. Presented by WHA Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Member Engagement, Kari Hofer, the award recognizes outstanding leadership in advocacy, grassroots engagement, legislative outreach, and commitment to strengthening health care policy.

“Children’s Wisconsin has a strong commitment to the grassroots process, all year long, making sure their advocates contact their lawmakers on both state and federal issues,” said Hofer. “Children’s Wisconsin always has a strong showing at WHA's Advocacy Day, making participating in this event an annual priority.”  

Gil Peri, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Wisconsin, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “Children’s Wisconsin is honored to receive the Wisconsin Hospital Association Advocacy All-Star Award. Advocacy takes all of us working together to lend our expertise, share our stories and raise our voices. I’m proud of the work Children’s accomplishes together with partners like WHA to help ensure Wisconsin kids and families have access to high-quality health care and reach their full potential.”

Children’s Wisconsin President & CEO Gil Peri accepts the 2026 Advocacy All-Star Award.

Children’s Wisconsin is a strong partner of WHA, dedicated to advocating for Wisconsin hospitals. Its commitment includes serving on the WHA Board of Directors and other committees, speaking on behalf of Wisconsin hospitals though testimony to the legislature, responding to advocacy alerts and serving as a leading voice in efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement for Wisconsin hospitals in the last State Budget. Children’s Wisconsin also represents Wisconsin’s hospitals in Washington, D.C., ensuring the state’s voice is heard on federal issues impacting patient care.

WHA’s Advocacy Day is the premier health care advocacy event in Wisconsin, drawing 1,100 attendees representing nearly every hospital and health system in Wisconsin.

Over 230 advocates from Children’s Wisconsin attend WHA’s Advocacy Day on Feb. 25, 2026.