Mount Nittany Health Emergency Department Honored with Lantern Award

Mount Nittany Health is proud to announce that its Emergency Department has been recognized with the prestigious Lantern Award by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). This national honor is a testament to the department’s commitment to innovation, excellence and outstanding patient care. A record-breaking 126 emergency departments earned the 2026 Lantern Award and Mount Nittany Health is one of only six emergency departments in Pennsylvania to receive this distinction.

“The Lantern recognizes something incredibly special. It isn’t an award for an individual or an entire hospital — it’s a recognition earned by an emergency department and the team that powers it every day,” said ENA President Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. “These 126 departments have demonstrated what is possible when emergency nurses lead with purpose, innovation and a relentless commitment to excellence.”

The Lantern Award reflects Mount Nittany Health Emergency Department’s dedication to providing exceptional care to the community. This achievement highlights the department’s focus on pediatric readiness, reduced wait times, professional development for staff and the implementation of innovative practices that improve patient outcomes.

“We are incredibly proud of our Emergency Department team for receiving the Lantern Award,” said Adam Hoover, Director of Emergency Services at Mount Nittany Health. “This recognition underscores their unwavering dedication to innovation, excellence and providing compassionate, high-quality care to our patients every day. It is an honor to see their hard work acknowledged on a national level.”

This award further demonstrates Mount Nittany Health’s leadership in emergency care and its commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for patients. To learn more about the Lantern Award and Mount Nittany Health’s approach to excellence in emergency care, visit mountnittany.org.