Miami- The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Miami Children’s Hospital has received a gold Beacon award for excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). For patients and families, the Beacon award signifies exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall satisfaction.
The gold award is the highest recognition level which demonstrates excellence in unit performance and patient outcomes. The AACN created the Beacon awards to recognize hospital nursing units that improve every facet of patient care. For the critical-care nurses, a Beacon award signifies a positive and supportive work environment as well as great collaboration between colleagues and leaders.
The PICU at Miami Children’s is the most experienced pediatric and neonatal Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) resource for children with life-threatening heart and lung conditions in the State of Florida. It is one of three pediatric apheresis blood treatment centers in the State for children who require plasma exchange, red cell exchange, prosorba column, leukopheresis or stem-cell harvesting.
“This recognition demonstrates the commitment of our outstanding staff in advancing care excellence and optimal outcomes,” said Jackie Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Miami Children’s Hospital. “We are delighted to be recognized for this tremendous achievement as it speaks to our dedication to the families in our care,” she said.
About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Your Child Matters Most ™ (2025)
Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. With more than 850 physicians, including over 500 pediatric subspecialists, the hospital and its network of outpatient centers and offices serve close to 70 percent of children in the Miami market. The only "where your child matters most™,” Nicklaus Children's is home to the region's most advanced Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, and its centers of excellence Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Transfer Center, Nick4Kids, and LifeFlight are responsible for transporting and saving close to 5,000 lives a year. Our 325-bed hospital, which is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, has many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children's is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.