Sun Life and DentaQuest Name 2026 Health Access Hero Award Winners

The initiative honors individuals and nonprofits that dismantle barriers to essential medical services, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations. This year’s recipients include six individual changemakers and nine community programs, ranging from mobile dental clinics in Florida to nutrition services in California. Since the program's inception, Sun Life and DentaQuest have distributed over $4 million in grants and recognized more than 130 health advocates nationwide.

Individual honorees receive a $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice, while organizational grants provide direct funding for equipment, medications, and expanded clinical hours. David Healy, president of Sun Life U.S., noted that the awards highlight the necessity of removing systemic obstacles that prevent families from accessing quality care. Notable winners include Dr. Leonardo Marchini for his work with geriatric and special needs dentistry, and Kyle Banks, founder of Kyler Cares, who is scaling a model to provide diabetes resources to students of color in major metropolitan areas.