Methodist Mansfield ICU honored

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has awarded the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center ICU and CVICU the Gold Beacon Award for Excellence, a prestigious national recognition honoring outstanding nursing care and healthy work environments.

More than 575 units nationwide applied for the Beacon Award in 2025, making this achievement especially meaningful. The award recognizes units that demonstrate exceptional patient outcomes, strong nursing leadership and a commitment to AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards.

“This honor reflects the extraordinary care our ICU and CVICU teams deliver every day,” said Juan Fresquez Jr., president of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. “Their teamwork, dedication, and commitment to evidence-based practice ensure the highest level of care for our patients and families. We are incredibly proud of this team and the culture they’ve built.”

The Beacon Award highlights excellence in patient outcomes, nurse engagement and work environment—areas where our nurses make a direct and lasting impact.

AACN President Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, applauded the achievement, noting the dedication of the ICU/CVICU caregivers at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes the outstanding Methodist Mansfield caregivers whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” Marsh said. “This unit serves as role models for excellence in patient and family care.”

While many units deliver high-quality care, Beacon-recognized units distinguish themselves through measurable results, continuous improvement, and a sustained commitment to nursing excellence.

Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence provides a framework to guide improvements in patient outcomes, staff engagement and overall satisfaction. The award is open to U.S. and Canadian hospital units where patients receive primary nursing care following admission. Units are evaluated across six categories, including leadership, staffing, communication, evidence-based practice and outcomes measurement.