Two McKnight’s publications have been named finalists for top honors in the 72nd Neal Awards.
Colloquially known as the “Pulitzers of B2B journalism,” the Neal Awards are hosted by SIIA Media and recognize dozens of top journalists, culled from publications covering hundreds of industries. Event organizers unveiled the short lists of finalists Wednesday.
In both cases, the McKnight’s entries involved in-depth series covering vital aspects of long-term care. McKnight’s Home Care is one of four finalists in the brand revenue under $3 million category, while McKnight’s Long-Term Care News is in the top tier in the brand revenue of $3 million to $7 million division.
The McKnight’s Long-Term Care News “HIV in LTC” package navigated the volatile intersection of two major healthcare challenges: regular senior care and the growing needs of older patients living with HIV. It is a task that experts say will double in the next decade as more patients with HIV survive into their senior years and require long-term care.
Medical concerns are significant. But healthcare providers must also deal with the high cost of medications, insufficient payment and younger health workers who may not have an understanding of what HIV is — and what it isn’t anymore.
This vital series by Senior Editor Kimberly Marselas appeared in October 2025 and included four articles, an insightful blog and a probing podcast. Marselas researched the series for most of a year, conducting interviews in multiple states and talking to dozens of clinicians, advocates and policymakers.
The series helps to expose and overcome barriers in caregiving and to banish old stereotypes that stubbornly persist, such as frontline staff asking patients how they got HIV, and others refusing to touch patients with a history of infection.
Home is where the hard is
In the five-part “Hidden Heroes” series in April 2025, McKnight’s Home Care explored how home care firms can collaborate with family caregivers to deliver better, more compassionate care while strengthening their bottom lines.
The report explained how recent shifts in Medicare and Medicaid policy now serve as powerful incentives for home care providers to invest in the family caregiving workforce. It also unpacked how private industry is providing a tailwind for agencies with its growing penchant for the family caregiver market.
The coverage included a podcast focusing on the tragic deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his caregiver spouse, underscoring the need to connect family caregivers with expert help.The package also provided infographics and charts each day, and commentary from Editor Liza Berger.
Other members of the series team included former Staff Writer Adam Healy and Senior Art Director Monica Pizzi.
With a victory by either finalist, McKnight’s would mark four straight years with a Neal Awards winner.
McKnight’s is not the only Haymarket Media brand with Neals finalists this year. The London-based media company also garnered seven other nominations.
MM+M: Medical Marketing + Media captured three finalist nods (Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine, Best Art Direction for a Cover Design, Best Explanatory Content), while PRWeek received a pair (Best Podcast, Best Range of Work by a Media Brand). Similarly, Campaign received finalist berths for Best Series and Best DEI Coverage.
The 72nd Neal Awards will be announced April 21 at a luncheon ceremony at the Yale Club in New York.