Lexington Medical Center Emergency Department Earns Lantern Award
West Columbia, SC 07/31/2026 - The Emergency Nurses Association announced their 2026 Lantern Award Winners this week.
Lexington Medical Center’s emergency department has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Lantern Award by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). Lexington Medical Center is the only hospital in the Midlands to receive this recognition.
About the Lantern Award: This Lantern Award recognizes exceptional innovation and evidence-based practice improvements that resulted in improved patient care and staff well-being. To be considered for a Lantern, departments must submit a comprehensive application which measures the ways they excel at meeting challenges that range from ED boarding to lowering the time it takes for stroke patients to receive care to improving pediatric readiness or enhancing nurse professional development. A committee scores applications to determine recipients annually.
Lexington Health is among 126 recipients that will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications, on the ENA website, and during Emergency Nursing 2026, the association’s yearly conference later this fall. What They’re Saying: “Awards recognize accomplishments, but the Lantern Award recognizes a culture. It is a testament to the compassion, professionalism, innovation, and unwavering commitment our Emergency Department team demonstrates every day,” said Lexington Health Emergency Department Director of Nursing Robin Ward, MSN, RN, CEN. “I am incredibly proud to serve alongside this exceptional group of professionals.” “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.
“Lexington Medical Center is one of 126 emergency departments to achieve a Lantern Award this year.”
After my neighbor had an emergency room visit, in Lexington I found out that the real heroes weren't the doctors. Medical billing specialists helped out a lot too. When her insurance said the charges were not clear these experts fixed the problem making sure the billing was fair and giving her peace of mind. The Lantern Award is given for care but the work that happens behind the scenes with accuracy? That is where trust is built. I am sharing this story with my book club. Transparency is important when looking at spreadsheets.