Memorial Regional Hospital ER Recognized for Excellence with the Lantern Award by the Emergency Nurses Association

Memorial Regional Hospital Emergency Department has been selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association’s 2024 Lantern Award for excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research performance. Only 94 emergency departments in the country received this award.

The Lantern Award is a visible symbol of the emergency department’s accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care, recognizing quality, safety and a healthy work environment. As part of the application, emergency departments share stories that highlight a commitment to patient care, as well as the well-being of nursing staff. In its application, the hospital highlighted its work on stroke care, partnerships with emergency medical service agencies, and recent attestation as Florida’s first Resuscitation Center of Excellence.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named as a Lantern Award Recipient by the Emergency Nurses Association. Memorial Regional Hospital Emergency Department’s Nursing and Physician teams work continuously to improve practices and our ability to handle the most critical situations. This award highlights our commitment to quality care,” said Randi Alfonzo, director of Emergency Services at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Memorial Regional Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, is one of the largest hospitals in Florida the flagship facility of the Hollywood-based Memorial Healthcare System. Serving the community since 1953, the facility is Certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and has been recognized by the ASA/AHA for nine consecutive years, earning GWTG Stroke Gold Plus and multiple Target Stroke Honor Roll recognitions. Memorial Regional is also one of the few hospitals in the Florida to have been awarded Level 4 Maternal Levels of Care Verification, proving expert care to our obstetric population.

"This award acknowledges the unwavering support and care our nurses provide to the community,” said Leslie Pollart, chief nursing officer at Memorial Regional Hospital. “We are grateful for the commitment of our interdisciplinary teams, physicians, executive leadership, and Board of Commissioners, who empower us to deliver exceptional care."

Memorial Regional Hospital is currently undergoing a complete renovation and reconfiguration of its emergency department and 3 trauma bays and resuscitation room to improve layout and efficiency, where the Lantern Award will be on display in the emergency department. As a recipient, Memorial Regional Hospital will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications, on the ENA website and during Emergency Nursing 2024, the association’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Sept. 4-7.

For more information on this year’s Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Association.