AHN Jefferson earns 2021 Lantern Award and Magnet Designation
The emergency department at AHN Jefferson Hospital received an Emergency Nurses Association ’ s ( ENA ) 2021 Lantern Award . This year ' s recipients were recognized for many accomplishments , including efforts to improve patient mortality and clinical outcomes , and developing efficiencies for the triage process .
We ’ re also proud to be the second AHN hospital to earn Magnet Designation , specifically for emergency room care . The Magnet Recognition Program , developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center ( ANCC ), recognizes quality patient care , nursing excellence , and innovations in nursing practice . It ’ s considered nationally to be the “ gold standard ” of excellence . We ’ re the second among AHN hospitals to receive this designation , and the first in the South HIlls .
None of this would be possible without our talented providers and support staff who provide the highest level of care every day — even during these unprecedented times .
Ensuring excellence amid chaos
Emergency departments are fast-paced , often-stressful and usually chaotic environments . It takes a unique skill set and temperament to thrive as an emergency nurse ( or triage nurse , as they ’ re often called ).
It takes someone like Dean Huwes , a self-admitted adrenaline junkie who first realized his passion for emergency medicine when he was a paramedic in Erie .
“ I ’ ve always been drawn to public service ,” he said . He served in the army right out of high school , then took an EMS course and fell in love with being an EMT . Soon after that , he went to nursing school to become an LPN , then an RN , and now he ’ s working in our Emergency Department , doing what he does best : helping people when they need it most .
“ It ’ s exciting . It ’ s where I feel I can really make a difference . We see people who are having the worst day of their lives and we help turn it around with the person-to-person contact , education , and assurance we ’ re able to provide . And not just for the patient — the whole family ,” he said . “ It never feels like a job to me . I love solving problems , finding solutions , getting people back on their feet and back to their lives .”
DEAN HUWES , RN EMERGENCY CARE
For appointments , call ( 412 ) DOCTORS or visit ahn . org / jefferson .