Driving Quality and Transformative Change in Pediatric Healthcare


Published on: 04/29/2025

Shannon Odell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, was recently featured in Insights Care Magazine for her commitment and innovation in advancing pediatric nursing.

At Nicklaus Children’s, Shannon focuses on fostering a culture of continuous improvement and is a key contributor in shaping the hospital’s mission and vision, ensuring that strategic initiatives align with the health system’s commitment to pediatric care.

Shannon's leadership is a testament to the substantial influence that nurse leaders can have on healthcare systems and patient outcomes. In her role, Shannon not only impacts the local community but also the national standards of pediatric nursing excellence.

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Organization Awards

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Nicklaus Children's Hospital Achieves Fifth Consecutive Magnet® Recognition

March 29, 2024 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital this month attained Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for the fifth consecutive term.

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Nicklaus Children's Hospital Earns 2023 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award

July 31, 2023 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department has been selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) 2023 Lantern Award for demonstrating exceptional innovation in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research performance.

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Nicklaus Children's Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Lactation Care

June 09, 2023 – The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) awarded Nicklaus Children’s Hospital with the IBCLC Care Award for excellence in lactation care.

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Nicklaus Children's Health System Offers Scholarships for Students in Miami-Dade College's Associate of Science in Nursing Program

October 11, 2022 – Nicklaus Children’s is collaborating with Miami-Dade College (MDC) to implement a scholarship program for students accepted to MDC’s Associate of Science in Nursing Program. The Nurse Scholars Program, sponsored by Nicklaus Children’s Health System, is administered by Edcor, a third-party service, and features tuition scholarship awards of up to $10,000.

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National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program Recognizes Nicklaus Children's Hospital

July 23, 2019 – Nicklaus Children's Hospital has been recognized as a Certified Safe Sleep Hospital by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program. The hospital is one of the first to receive this designation in Florida.

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Achieves Fourth Consecutive Magnet® Recognition for Excellence in Nursing

January 10, 2019 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has attained Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for the fourth consecutive term. As of January 2019, Nicklaus Children’s is one of only six children’s hospitals in the nation that have received a fourth Magnet designation.

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NCHS Participates in the Day in the Life of a Nurse Program

October 22, 2018 – This annual event provides high school students with an introduction to the world of nursing. Students and teachers learn about the many career opportunities available within the nursing profession.

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Nursing with Nine Beacon Awards

June 15, 2018 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has received three new Beacon Awards for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), bringing to nine the total number of hospital units that have garnered Beacon Award status. Nicklaus Children’s is the only children’s hospital in the nation to be recognized with nine Beacon Awards, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to excellence in inpatient care through use of evidence-based data to enhance outcomes and satisfaction.

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Horizon Nurse Residency Program Earns Accreditation with Distinction from American Nurses Credentialing Center

February 07, 2018 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Horizon Nurse Residency Program has achieved accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Accreditation with Distinction is the highest recognition bestowed by the ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation. Nicklaus Children’s is the second children’s hospital in the nation to achieve this recognition.

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Patient Care

December 28, 2017 – Nicklaus Children’s has more inpatient units recognized with Beacon Awards than any other children’s hospital in the nation.

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American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes Nicklaus Children's Hospital's 3 East Unit with a Gold Beacon Award for Excellence

March 10, 2017 – The gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies excellent and sustained unit performance and patient outcomes. 3 East earned a gold award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria

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All Three Nicklaus Children's Intensive Care Units Recognized with Gold Beacon Awards

May 10, 2016 – National three-year awards recognize exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment.

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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Receives 2015 Press Ganey NDNQI Award for Outstanding Nursing Quality

January 20, 2016 – The award recognizes the top-performing pediatric hospital that has achieved excellence in overall performance in nursing quality indicators.

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Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Receives Top Magnet Prize®

October 08, 2015 – Nicklaus Children's Hospital is recognized for the Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Program. The American Nurses Credentialing Center announces Nicklaus Children's Hospital as the winner of the ANCC 2015 Magnet Prize® sponsored by Cerner.

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Miami Children's Recognized for Nursing Training

August 28, 2014 – Miami Children's Horizons Internship Program for Nurses has been recognized as a best practice program for nursing education by the Nursing Executive Center of The Advisory Board Company.

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Miami Children's Hospital Receives Highest Nursing Credential with Prestigious Magnet Recognition...Again

December 20, 2013 – This is the third time MCH is recognized for excellence in nursing and it is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.

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Intensive Care Units at Miami Children’s Hospital Receive Three Beacon Awards for Excellence

September 28, 2012 – MCH is one of only three children’s hospital in the nation to be awarded Gold and Silver Level Beacon Awards for all of their ICU’s and the only children’s hospital in Florida to receive this distinction.

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Miami Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Recipient of Gold Beacon Award for Excellence

June 13, 2012 – The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has received a gold Beacon award for excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The Beacon award signifies exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall satisfaction.

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Miami Children's Hospital Awarded Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence

May 18, 2010 – Beacon Award units realize many benefits of having met rigid criteria for excellence, high-quality standards and exceptional care of patients and patients’ families.

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Miami Children's Hospital Earns National Recognition for Nursing Excellence

May 14, 2008 – The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes excellence and professionalism in nursing. Only 3 percent of hospitals nationwide have achieved Magnet designation.

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Miami Children’s Hospital Awarded Nursing ‘Magnet’ Site Honors

July 24, 2003 – Magnet designation recognizes the MCH nursing staff for meeting the rigorous quality indicators and standards of nursing practice as defined by the American Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators.