Get Healthy Utah recognized AARP Utah and Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative as the recipients of its 2026 Partnership Awards during Get Healthy Utah’s annual event, Momentum, held September 16 at Millcreek Common.

The Get Healthy Utah Partnership Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing community health, connection, and wellbeing through innovation and partnership.

“Being a convener for a strong network of partners is at the heart of the work we do at Get Healthy Utah,” said Alysia Ducuara, Executive Director of Get Healthy Utah. “AARP Utah and Every Kid Outdoors have both been incredible partners in helping communities across Utah create healthier places to live, work and play. We appreciate all the ways they have helped strengthen and expand our work.”

AARP Utah has helped Get Healthy Utah incorporate a healthy aging lens into its work and has been an active partner in educational opportunities, including webinars and tabling at events.

“AARP Utah is so pleased to receive Get Healthy Utah's 2026 Partnership Award. We love Get Healthy Utah's mission to make people healthier at every age. AARP focuses on healthy, age-friendly communities for older adults, thereby making communities better for everyone.” said Alan Ormsby, State Director of AARP Utah.

Through this partnership, AARP Utah and Get Healthy Utah have worked to elevate healthy aging as an important component of community health and encourage communities to consider the needs of older adults.

Utah's Every Kid Outdoors Initiative is a strategic partner of Get Healthy Utah, sharing a commitment to helping Utah youth and families participate in outdoor recreation and lead active, healthy lives.

The initiative’s Adventure Challenge Passport is one example of a community strategy that cities and towns can use as part of their work toward the Healthy Utah Community designation.

“Every kid in Utah deserves the chance to explore the outdoors and experience how good it feels to be active in nature. Partnering with Get Healthy Utah helps us connect directly with local communities and schools to make that happen. Receiving this partnership award is a huge honor, and it really highlights what’s possible when we work together,” said Ashley Brown, program specialist for Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative.

“Both of these organizations demonstrate how partnerships can turn shared goals into meaningful action,” said Emma Andreasen, Program Coordinator for Get Healthy Utah. “We’re grateful for their continued support and collaboration.”

The 2026 Partnership Awards were presented as part of Get Healthy Utah’s Annual Event, Momentum, which brought together community leaders, public health professionals, planners, educators, healthcare professionals and other partners from across Utah to celebrate progress and explore opportunities to continue building healthier communities.

“Momentum is about recognizing what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Alysia Ducuara, Executive Director of Get Healthy Utah. “These two organizations represent the kind of collaboration that helps turn healthy community goals into meaningful action.”

To learn more about our 2026 Annual Event, Momentum, visit here.