AHVAP leader Karen Niven named Charlotte Business Journal Health Care Heroes finalist

The Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals said its past president and current board member, Karen Niven, was named a finalist in the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2026 Health Care Heroes Awards. The recognition spotlights her leadership in healthcare value analysis and AHVAP’s growing profile in the field.

Why it matters: - Karen Niven’s finalist spot puts a healthcare value analysis leader in a regional awards program that recognizes people improving care, innovation and compassion. - The honor also reflects AHVAP’s visibility in a specialty tied to patient outcomes, efficiency and value-based care.

What happened: - AHVAP said Karen Niven, MS, BSN, RN, CVAHP, FACHDM, FNAP, FAHVAP, was named a finalist in the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2026 Health Care Heroes Awards program. - The Charlotte Business Journal selected more than two dozen finalists across categories including physicians, nurses, support staff, managers and others. - Finalists were chosen through a nomination process earlier this year.

The details: - Niven is a past president and current board member of AHVAP. - Niven also serves as chair of the AHVAP Certification Center, the national credentialing body for the healthcare value analysis specialty. - AHVAP said Niven has served in multiple leadership roles, including Board of Directors, Committee Chair, President-Elect, President and Past President/Presidential Advisor. - Dr. Hudson Garrett Jr., AHVAP executive director, said Niven’s work combines clinical expertise, evidence-based rigor and a commitment to patient outcomes. - AHVAP said its leaders have also received national recognition, including induction into the National Academies of Practice and fellowships in the Management and Strategy Institute, the American College of Health Data Management, and Health 2.0. - AHVAP describes itself as a professional association and resource for healthcare value analysis professionals, leaders and stakeholders. - AHVAP says its mission is to support high-quality, safe, efficient, value-based care across the healthcare continuum through the IHI Quadruple Aim. - AHVAP provided its website as More information.

Between the lines: - The nomination signals that healthcare value analysis is getting more public recognition as a discipline that affects spending, safety and clinical decision-making. - AHVAP is using the honor to underscore the credibility of its leadership team and the importance of credentialed value analysis work.

What’s next: - The Charlotte Business Journal will move forward with the 2026 Health Care Heroes Awards program and name honorees from the finalist pool. - AHVAP is likely to continue promoting its leadership and certification programs as part of its broader mission.

The bottom line: - Karen Niven’s finalist status gives AHVAP another visible win in a field focused on improving care while managing healthcare value.