Emergency Department Earns Prestigious Award from Emergency Nurses Association

Catholic Health St. Joseph Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) nurses have earned an Emergency Nurses Associate (ENA) 2025 Lantern Award, recognizing St. Joseph nurses for demonstrating exceptional and innovative leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. St. Joseph joins

Fewer than 100 emergency departments were selected this year. “These recipients demonstrate excellence in practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation that make their departments exceptional places for patients receiving care as well as for the staff working in them,” said ENA President Ryan Oglesby, PhD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC.

As part of the application process, emergency departments are encouraged to share stories that highlight a commitment to patient care and also the well-being of nursing staff. The ENA award reinforces nurses’ commitment to quality, safety, innovation and a healthy work environment.

“I’ve always known that our ED nurses are special—compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed—but this recognition further affirms that we have top-notch professionals caring for our community,” said St. Joseph Hospital’s ED Nursing Director, Mavis Aguilar. “This award is a testament to their unwavering commitment to our patients, visitors, and to one another. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this team.”

As a recipient, St. Joseph nurses will receive a physical award at the ENA annual conference in September in New Orleans to display in the ED as a visible symbol of their commitment to excellence. Additionally, they will be spotlighted in ENA's member magazine, ENA Connection.

The St. Joseph ED staff members are trained to treat all medical conditions, illnesses and injuries. They use advanced diagnostic imaging and consult with Mercy Hospital's specialists in multiple disciplines. Additionally, St. Joseph has earned Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA), providing elderly patients who visit its ED with the necessary expertise, equipment and resources to deliver optimal care.

For more information, call (516) 520-2500. For more information on this year’s Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Association website.