HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has received the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) 2024 Lantern Award, recognizing the excellence of its caregivers in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation. The medical center earned Lantern Awards for both its pediatric and adult emergency departments.
“This award showcases the outstanding efforts of our team in enhancing patient care,” said Don McKenna, president of the medical center. “As the only Level I Trauma Center for both adult and pediatric patients in central Pennsylvania, we are proud of this additional recognition of our dedication to maintaining high standards in quality, safety, and fostering a healthy work environment while caring for the most critically ill and injured patients.”
In 2023, the medical center's pediatric emergency department saw 24,236 patients, and the adult emergency department treated 55,319 patients.
“Together with our Magnet accreditation, this award reminds our community that Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is an exceptional place to begin and grow nursing careers,” said Michele Szkolnicki, senior vice president and chief nursing officer.
The Lantern Award will be formally presented to medical center leadership at the ENA national conference Sept. 4-7.
The ENA Lantern Award recognizes exceptional and innovative leadership, clinical nursing practice, education, advocacy, and research performance in emergency departments across the U.S., and now includes the United Arab Emirates. Named in honor of Florence Nightingale, credited as the founder of modern nursing and referred to as the “Lady With the Lamp” for her round-the-clock care given to wounded soldiers. The award is granted for a three-year period.
Founded in 1970, ENA has 50,000 members worldwide and advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy.