Stony Brook University Hospital's Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU) has been awarded the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This recognition, valid from 2024 to 2027, honors unit caregivers who enhance patient outcomes and adhere to AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Stony Brook is among only five NCCUs in New York State to receive this distinction.
“This achievement recognizes the exemplary efforts of our NCCU nursing staff to provide excellent, safe, patient-centered care to patients and their families,” said Carolyn Santora, MS, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Stony Brook University Hospital. “Those that receive care here at Stony Brook can expect to experience the highest level of nursing care from a group of exceptional healthcare professionals.”
The Beacon Award for Excellence was established in 2003 by AACN to acknowledge hospital units that excel in recruitment and retention; education, training and mentoring; research and evidence-based practice; patient outcomes; leadership and organizational ethics; and creating a healthy work environment. Recipients meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
Additionally, in 2024, Stony Brook's Emergency Department was recognized for its outstanding emergency patient care by receiving the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) 2024 Lantern Award. This award acknowledges excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research performance.
Stony Brook University Hospital serves as Long Island’s leading academic health center with a capacity of 624 beds. It functions as the region’s sole tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center. The hospital hosts various specialized centers including the Heart Institute, Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences Institute, Suffolk County’s only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center among others.
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has been promoting acute and critical care nursing excellence for over five decades. It aims to establish a healthcare system responsive to patient needs where nurses play an optimal role. AACN is recognized as the largest specialty nursing organization globally with around 130,000 members across more than 200 chapters in the United States.