The emergency departments at both St. Joseph’s University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award, St. Joseph’s Health announced this month.
The award recognizes exceptional innovation and evidence-based practice improvements that lead to better patient care and staff well-being. St. Joseph’s Health’s two emergency departments were among just 126 recipients nationwide to receive the designation from the ENA, the professional nursing association focused on advancing emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation and leadership.
Debbie Smith, senior vice president and chief nursing and patient care officer at St. Joseph’s Health, credited the frontline staff directly.
“This recognition belongs to our specially trained nurses and every member of our emergency departments who serve our community with skill, compassion, and integrity,” she said. “We are proud to be recognized for creating an environment where patients receive outstanding care and our team is empowered to excel.”
Brian Dolan, director of nursing for the emergency departments at St. Joseph’s Health, said the award reflects the culture across the whole team, not just individual performance.
“The Lantern Awards honor the excellence of an emergency department and the professionals who work together to provide exceptional patient care,” he said. “It recognizes the teamwork, leadership, and commitment that define outstanding emergency care throughout St. Joseph’s Health.”
The emergency departments handle both adult and pediatric emergencies, staffed by board-certified physicians and Magnet-recognized nurses with specialized emergency training. St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is designated a Level II Trauma Center by the state of New Jersey and a verified Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, handling some of the most complex illnesses and injuries in the region.
St. Joseph’s Health, founded in 1867 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, is the largest employer in Passaic County and one of the largest providers of charity care in New Jersey. The system includes St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, an outpatient campus in Totowa, home care services and more than 100 physician practices across northern New Jersey.
