Elliot M. Stone Award of Excellence in Health Data Leadership

Since 1990, NAHDO has presented the NAHDO Award of Excellence in Health Data Leadership to one or more individuals who represent the highest ideals in data collection, analysis, or outcomes measurement and whose creative efforts have made outstanding contributions to improvements in the collection, application, and/or dissemination of health data. Until his passing in 2005, Elliot Stone helped NAHDO select awardees who made significant contributions to the health information field and who exhibited characteristics of quality, excellence, and passion in their work---characteristics that Elliot himself embodied.

In 2005, following Elliot Stone’s untimely passing, the NAHDO Board renamed its annual award, the “Elliot Stone Award of Excellence in Health Data Leadership”, in honor of Elliot and in acknowledgement of his generosity, care, and diligence to the field and to his colleagues. Elliot set the highest standards for his own performance and for others to follow. At NAHDO’s 20th Anniversary Meeting in Washington, D.C., the first Elliot Stone Award of Excellence was presented posthumously by NAHDO to Elliot’s wife and sons.

2026 Recipient - Kenley Money

L to R: Norm Thurston, Angela Taylor, Kenley Money, Chris Krawczyk, Joanna Duncan, Tanya Bernstein, and Kyle Russell

Kenley Money joined the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) in 2010 because, like Elliot M. Stone, she recognized the positive impact data could have on public health discourse and policy decisions in Arkansas and across the country. She quickly developed strong relationships with ACHI’s partners in policy change, motivated by the mantra that all in our community know, “Data move at the speed of trust.” Thanks to Kenley’s data stewardship, leadership, and commitment to excellence, Arkansas is now home to one of the most robust collections of health data in the country under the umbrella of the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative.

Not only has her work expanded the capabilities of health analysts, researchers, and entrepreneurs in Arkansas, but through her leadership within NAHDO, including her service on the Board of Directors and three years as Board Chair, she has helped others across the country with the challenging work of developing similar health data resources and advanced capabilities in their states. When Kenley retires later this summer, she will leave a lasting legacy of excellence in the lives of those she has touched and the infrastructure she has played a critical role in building. 

Citation Prepared by  

• Craig Wilson, JD, MPA, president and CEO, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
• Joe Thompson, MD, MPH, president emeritus, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement