On July 17, KMA and the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) were honored with the 2026 American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE) Profiles of Excellence Award for Communications, recognizing the Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign as one of the nation’s most innovative and impactful medical society communications initiatives. The award was presented during the AAMSE Annual Meeting in Louisville.
Launched in January 2025 through a partnership between KMA and KFMC, with funding from the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the campaign was created to address Kentucky’s poor health rankings by encouraging residents to focus on five simple areas for healthier living: Screenings, Tobacco Use, Exercise & Nutrition, Physician Visits, and Stress Management (STEPS).
Over nearly two years, Small STEPS, Big Impact reached millions of Kentuckians through statewide digital advertising, streaming television, public service announcements, podcasts, social media, earned media, and physician-led continuing medical education. Twelve physician ambassadors completed specialized media training and served as trusted voices for public health through interviews, community outreach, and educational programming. The campaign generated more than 4 million digital advertising impressions, engaged more than 400 physicians through six CME programs, and connected thousands of Kentuckians with evidence-based health resources through SmallSTEPSKy.org.