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Dr. James Tisdale of Priority Partners Wins 2026 Making A Difference Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Marty Johnson, 202-420-7424; mjohnson@communityplans.net
Dr. James Tisdale of Priority Partners Wins 2026 Making A Difference Award
HANOVER, Md.— The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) today announced that Dr. James Lee Tisdale Jr., a Special Needs Coordinator and Complex Case Manager with Priority Partners Managed Care Organization, as its winner of the 2026 Making a Difference Award, recognizing his sustained leadership in advancing equitable, community-centered care for underserved populations.
The Making a Difference Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in improving access, quality, and outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries and underserved communities. Dr. Tisdale’s work reflects a policy-driven commitment to improving how health care systems serve people facing the greatest barriers to access, including people who live with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs.
At the core of Dr. Tisdale’s work is a deliberate effort to embed member voice into system design. As facilitator of Priority Partners’ Consumer Advisory Board, he ensures that lived experience directly informs decision-making, strengthening alignment between managed care practices and member needs, particularly for special-needs populations. In collaboration with the Harford County Health Department, he has led 16 community-based discussions on social determinants of health, engaging hundreds of participants. These forums directly inform more responsive, integrated approaches to care.
“Commitment to community is what sets Safety Net Health Plans apart. Dr. Tisdale’s daily work and dedication is exactly what enables our member plans to walk the walk,” said ACAP CEO Meg Murray. “We couldn’t be prouder to honor Dr. Tisdale today with this award—and hope he inspires others to follow his lead.”
In addition to direct service and systems improvement, Dr. Tisdale contributes to workforce development and public education. He trains healthcare providers in cultural competency and regularly presents at professional forums, including the Maryland Mental Health Conference, supporting the dissemination of best practices in equitable care delivery.
Dr. Tisdale’s research and programmatic work have focused on identifying and addressing barriers to integrated care, particularly in mental health and substance use services. His efforts have contributed to the development of community-based resource networks that extend care into historically underserved and stigmatized populations.
“Dr. Tisdale’s career is defined by a rare integration of clinical family therapy, systemic policy reform, and a profound personal commitment to the underserved,” said Edward Kumian, CEO of Priority Partners. “He demonstrates an ongoing, intense commitment to his work through both the length of his service and the depth of his professional involvement.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 91 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 30 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
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