American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes NCH Adult Critical Care

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes NCH Adult
Critical Care Units with Silver Beacon Award for Excellence

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has been recognized by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) with Silver-level Beacon Awards for Excellence for all three of its adult critical care units, marking a significant national distinction for nursing excellence, patient outcomes and workplace culture.

The Beacon Award for Excellence is a prestigious national honor that recognizes unit-based caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units earning silver designation meet rigorous criteria that reflect the characteristics and components of an environment where nurses can influence and achieve excellence in patient care.

More than 575 critical care units from across the country applied for Beacon recognition in 2025. NCH’s achievement places its adult critical care teams among an elite group of units nationwide recognized for their sustained commitment to evidence-based practice, collaborative care and high-quality outcomes.

The Beacon Award for Excellence represents a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments. Beacon recognition acknowledges unit caregivers who demonstrate dynamic and outstanding performance through their systematic approach to improving outcomes and fostering a positive work environment.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” said AACN President, Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN “Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.” Many units provide exceptional patient care; however, Beacon-awarded units distinguish themselves by excelling in multiple performance areas such as Patient Outcomes, Nursing Workforce and Work

“Earning Silver Beacon recognition for all three adult critical care units is a powerful affirmation of our nurses’ clinical excellence and unwavering commitment to our patients,” said Gina Teegarden, BSN, RN, BHA, MBA, (Featured Photo) Chief Nursing Executive for NCH. “This achievement reflects the strength of our teams, the supportive culture we have built together, and our continued focus on delivering the highest level of critical care for our community.”

The Beacon Award for Excellence serves as an important milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, reinforcing NCH’s continued investment in nursing leadership, quality improvement and team-based care.

ABOUT NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with more than 700 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top three in the state by Health-grades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.