In 1912, Leesburg Hospital was established on Market Street in Leesburg, Virginia. The hospital went through several name changes over the years, and in 2005 completed a merger with Inova Health System to become Inova Loudoun Hospital. The hospital's fundraising organization, the Loudoun Healthcare Foundation, created the Loudoun Laurels in 2008 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for service to Loudoun County, and to foster a sense of community. The nominating body for the Loudoun Laurels is the Founders' Committee, also formed in 2008. It is composed of community leaders and past Laureates.

There are seven categories in which an individual or organization may be nominated: business and not-for-profit, education, lifetime service, philanthropy, science and technology, statesmanship, and stewardship. The stated goals of the program are to introduce community leaders to each other and to the public; to engage and inspire Loudoun County; recognize service to Loudoun County; and to encourage a sense of community. The Founders' Committee may honor up to three people each year and the Laureates are honored at a gala each fall that also serves as an annual fundraiser.

In addition to honoring individuals, the Loudoun Laurels also serves as an oral history project. Each honoree participates in recording an audio-visual oral history to document his or her life, history, and contributions to Loudoun County. The oral histories are currently conducted by Daniel Morrow, publisher of a local newspaper, .

In 2010, the Loudoun Laurels became an independent, not-for-profit foundation. The CEO of Inova Loudoun Hospital continues to serve on the Founders' Committee, but the program is no longer part of the Loudoun Healthcare Foundation.