The Emergency Nurses Association said a record 126 emergency departments will receive its 2026 ENA Lantern Award, a program that recognizes excellence in emergency care. The announcement highlights emergency departments that stand out for innovation and strong use of evidence-based practice.
According to the release, this year’s group of honorees includes a first for the award program: the first emergency department to earn the Lantern Award six times. That milestone adds to what ENA described as a record-breaking year for the recognition.
The Lantern Awards are designed to spotlight departments that demonstrate high standards in emergency nursing and patient care. By focusing on innovation and evidence-based work, the program aims to identify emergency departments that are building effective systems and strengthening care delivery in fast-paced clinical settings.
The 2026 announcement from Schaumburg, Illinois, underscores the growing number of emergency departments being recognized through the ENA Lantern Awards. With 126 departments honored, the latest class reflects broad recognition for emergency care teams working to advance quality and consistency across their units.
