Record-Breaking 126 Emergency Departments Earn ENA Lantern Awards
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recognizing emergency departments for their exceptional innovation and evidence-based practice, the Emergency Nurses Association announced a record-breaking 126 emergency departments earned the 2026 ENA Lantern Award.
“The Lantern recognizes something incredibly special. It isn’t an award for an individual or an entire hospital—it’s a recognition earned by an emergency department and the team that powers it every day,” said ENA President Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. “These 126 departments have demonstrated what is possible when emergency nurses lead with purpose, innovation and a relentless commitment to excellence.”
To be considered for a Lantern, departments must submit a comprehensive application which measures the ways they excel at meeting challenges that range from ED boarding to lowering the time it takes for stroke patients to receive care to improving pediatric readiness or enhancing nurse professional development. A committee scores applications to determine recipients annually.
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