June 23, 2020 - The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has awarded the gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence to the Special Care Nursery at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mt. Holly, NJ. This award recognizes caregivers who utilize a consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes.

“While health systems across the world have faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtua has never faltered in providing its patients with quality care,” said Pamela Gallus, assistant vice president for maternal-child services at Virtua Memorial Hospital. “This prestigious recognition showcases our commitment to our tiniest patients, and also shines light on the amazing professionals who treat each family with knowledge, expertise, and compassion.”

Virtua Memorial’s Special Care Nursery is one of only 10 neonatal units in the country — and one of three in New Jersey — to receive this three-year award. The nursery had previously earned the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence in 2017, and is one of seven units within the Virtua system with an active designation.

“Nursing is truly a calling,” said Virtua President and CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE. “We are proud, but not surprised, that Virtua Memorial’s Special Care Nursery team has been nationally recognized as one of the best in this country. They set the standard for excellence in patient-care environments, which help ensure our newborns who need additional support receive everything they need to grow and thrive.”