NextGen Healthcare Wins 2026 Stevie® Award for AI Impact

If you’ve spent any time reading healthcare tech news lately, you know that "AI" is the phrase of the moment. Every system claims to have it, and every platform promises it will change your life. But for independent ambulatory practices, there is a massive difference between a trendy tech feature and a tool that actually helps you get home in time for dinner.

That’s why we are incredibly proud to share that NextGen Healthcare has received a Bronze Stevie® Award for “AI-Driven Success in Action” in the 2026 American Business Awards®.

Out of more than 3,700 nominations, our team was recognized in the AI in Healthcare Achievement category. What made our approach stand out to the judges wasn't just the technology itself—it was how that technology actually changes the daily reality of running a medical practice.

Architectural Design vs. "Bolting It On"

When the judging panel reviewed NextGen Healthcare's solutions, they highlighted a critical distinction in how we build software. The judges noted that our team is:

“...redesigning workflows from the ground up rather than just layering AI on top of existing systems, which shows genuine architectural thinking rather than just bolting on a trendy feature.”

This gets to the exact core of our philosophy. We don't believe in adding AI as a flashy, secondary tab or an extra button you have to remember to click. True efficiency happens when intelligent orchestration is deeply embedded into the natural flow of your day.

Case in Point: NextGen Office Ambient Assist

A perfect example of this ground-up architectural thinking is NextGen Office Ambient Assist. Designed specifically to bring the power of clinical AI to small and independent practices, Ambient Assist completely redefines how a provider interacts with the electronic health record (EHR).

Instead of forcing a doctor to stare at a screen, typing and clicking endlessly during a visit, Ambient Assist utilizes advanced ambient listening technology. It securely listens to the natural conversation between the provider and the patient, automatically filtering out the noise to generate a fully structured SOAP note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan) in just 20 to 30 seconds.

Because it is fully integrated directly into the NextGen Office workflow, there is no messy copying and pasting. Providers simply hover, review the highly accurate note, make edits, and approve it—allowing it to flow instantly into the patient's chart. Furthermore, it goes beyond simple transcription by offering smart suggestions for ICD-10 diagnosis codes and order management right on the spot. Watch below how Ambient Assist works in a true Provider and Patient setting.

The Metrics That Matter

Awards are wonderful, but what truly excites us is what this integrated AI translates to for providers, staff, and patients. Ambulatory practices leveraging NextGen Healthcare’s AI solutions—including Ambient Assist—are seeing massive, measurable shifts in their daily operations:

• 57% reduction in after-hours documentation: By saving providers up to 2 hours of charting per day, more than half of the time spent typing at the kitchen table at night has been eliminated.
• 5 to 10 more patients seen per day: Streamlined workflows free up capacity, allowing providers to focus on care rather than clerical data entry.
• Patients seen 21 days sooner: By optimizing schedules and reducing administrative bottlenecks, appointment availability opens up three weeks faster.
• 97% reduction in no-show volume: Smart scheduling and patient engagement automation mean schedules stay full and predictable.

As NextGen Healthcare President and CEO Srinivas (Sri) Velamoor puts it:

“We are committed to helping our clients cut through hype and harness AI to achieve measurable, sustainable results. Our teams are focused on embedding intelligent orchestration across workflows to fundamentally reimagine the practice, provider and patient experience.”

Looking Ahead

The Stevie Awards—named after the Greek word for "crowned"—will officially be presented at a gala ceremony in New York City on Tuesday, June 9. We are honored to stand alongside some of the country's most innovative organizations.

We want to extend a massive thank you to our incredible clients. Your feedback, partnership, and dedication to patient care drive us to keep building, innovating, and pushing past the tech hype to deliver what your practice actually needs to thrive.

Want to see what award-winning, ground-up AI integration looks like in practice? Explore our Ambient Assist Solution in NextGen Office!