Nicklaus Children's Hospital Earns Prestigious 2026 ENA Lantern Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing

Published on: 08/17/2026

Nicklaus Children's Hospital has been named a recipient of the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, one of the nation's highest distinctions recognizing emergency departments that exemplify excellence in leadership, clinical practice, education, advocacy and research.

Presented by the Emergency Nurses Association, the Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional and innovative performance while fostering a culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement. This year's designation places Nicklaus Children's among an elite group of emergency departments nationwide recognized for delivering outstanding patient care while supporting excellence in emergency nursing.

Home to one of South Florida's busiest and most advanced pediatric emergency departments, Nicklaus Children's Hospital provides around-the-clock, specialized emergency care exclusively for children.

"The ENA Lantern Award is a tremendous honor that reflects the extraordinary dedication of our emergency department team and the culture of excellence they have built together," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System. "Every day, our physicians, nurses and clinical teams provide compassionate, highly specialized care during some of the most difficult moments in a family's life. This national recognition highlights our commitment to advancing pediatric emergency medicine while ensuring every child receives the safest, highest-quality care possible."

To achieve Lantern Award designation, emergency departments undergo a rigorous evaluation demonstrating excellence across five domains: leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. Applicants must provide measurable outcomes and evidence of sustained performance improvement, innovative clinical practices and a healthy work environment that empowers nurses to deliver exceptional patient care.

"It is an honor to be recognized with the Lantern Award which serves as a national symbol of excellence in emergency nursing," said Lisbeth Mosquera, director of emergency services at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. "This distinction reinforces our leadership in pediatric emergency care and our mission to deliver world-class healthcare for our children across South Florida and beyond."

"Our emergency nurses continually raise the standard for pediatric emergency care through clinical expertise, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to our patients and families," said Peter Cruz, executive director of emergency services at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. "Receiving the Lantern Award reflects years of intentional work to cultivate a highly engaged team, invest in professional development and implement evidence-based practices that improve quality, safety and the overall experience for every child who comes through our doors."