The Health Value Awards recognize excellence in outcomes-driven healthcare solutions and fiduciary-focused advisory services
NEEDHAM, Mass., Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Validation Institute announced the winners of its 9th Annual Health Value Awards, recognizing organizations and individuals that are delivering measurable improvements in healthcare value. The awards were presented at the YOU Powered Symposium in Savannah, GA which brings together employers, advisors, and innovators committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and proven outcomes in healthcare.
The Health Value Awards honor excellence across multiple categories, spotlighting top-performing healthcare services, products, and programs, as well as advisors who act in a fiduciary capacity—prioritizing client outcomes over traditional producer-based incentives.
"These folks are the future," said Al Lewis, Founder and Chairman of Validation Institute. "It's great to be in a business where the more prospects learn, the more they choose you."
This year, rather than select one Advisor of the Year, Validation Institute is underscoring the importance of fiduciary advising by recognizing all the Charter Fiduciary Advisors who have been validated and backed with the $100,000 ERISA Immunity Guarantee, extending both to themselves and their customers. Those Charter Advisors include:
- Matt Bittner, The Volition Group
- Niko Caparisos, Prosperity Benefits
- David Contorno, E Powered Benefits
- Paul H. Flowers Jr., Superior Insurance Advisors
- Emma Fox, FoxWatch
- Justin Leader, BenefitsDNA
- Donovan Pyle, Health Compass Consulting
- Chelsea Ryckis, Ethos Benefits
- Donovan Ryckis, Ethos Benefits
- Terry Shook, Primum Risk Strategies
- David Smith, Risk Strategies
- Brian Uhlig, Alera Group
"Fiduciary, fee‑based consulting will define our industry," said 2026 Advisor of the Year winner Brian Uhlig, Senior Partner, Alera Group. "With this validation—and the Validation Institute's $100,000 ERISA Immunity Guarantee behind it—employers get advice that puts them first, not the vendors."
This award is not just an honorary one. Quite the opposite, it can now pay off in the near term. Paul Hacker of World Insurance commented, "Congratulations to the Fiduciary Advisors on this well-deserved award and the added protection it provides, including the chance to obtain a credit on your E&O insurance."
About Validation Institute:
Validation Institute is a trusted authority helping benefits advisors and healthcare leaders differentiate through integrity, ERISA fiduciary compliance, and proven health value. More than 150 advisors leverage Validation Institute's proprietary tools and certifications—including the Executive Healthcare Strategy Tool, Fiduciary Validation backed by a $100,000 ERISA immunity guarantee, and the Certified Health Value Professional (CHVP) designation—to deliver measurable results, address the most critical health plan challenges, and clearly demonstrate their commitment to acting in the best interests of their clients. To learn more, please visit: https://www.validationinstitute.com.
Media Contact
Reena Joseph, Validation Institute, 1 7818563962, [email protected], https://www.validationinstitute.com
Jacob Xiong, Validation Institute, [email protected], https://www.validationinstitute.com
SOURCE Validation Institute
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