Meridian 2025 Physician & Practitioner Awards: Celebrating Measurable Excellence in Providing Quality Care
Date: 04/20/26
Meridian and its family of plans are proud to recognize the recipients of our 2025 Physician & Practitioner Awards. Meridian selects a physician or advanced practice clinician for each of its plans to receive the award in recognition of the outstanding service and quality of care they provide to health plan members.
“These award recipients represent the very best of what high‑quality, patient‑centered care looks like,” said Meridian President and CEO Cristal Gary. “Their ability to consistently close care gaps and deliver preventive, timely care speaks not only to their clinical excellence, but to their deep commitment to the communities they serve. We are honored to recognize their leadership and grateful for the difference they make in the lives of our members every day.”
The 2025 Meridian Physician & Practitioner Award recipients
Ambetter (Marketplace)
Tiffany Diaz, MD, Ascension Medical Group Illinois – Primary Care Schaumburg
Meridian Medicaid Plan (Medicaid)
Linda Guzman-Kurani, MSN, ACCESS Evanston Family Health Center
Wellcare (Medicare)
Daniel Novella, MD, Oak Street Health – Aurora
YouthCare (specialized Medicaid plan for current former youth in foster care)
Greater Family Health – nine locations serving residents in 54 municipalities
Award recipients were selected based on their success in closing care gaps for their Meridian patients as evidenced by their Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) metrics. Quality of Care measures, determined by the state and federal government, include services such as preventive screenings, immunizations, and annual provider visits. To be considered for the award, providers must submit HEDIS data for at least 50 Meridian members under their care.
The Meridian Physician & Practitioner Awards focus on composite quality scores that measure performance in preventive care and chronic condition management, including childhood immunizations, medication adherence, and blood pressure control. Learn more about our Quality Improvement Program.