Buffalo, NY – The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo has earned the bronze-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical‑Care Nurses (AACN). This national award recognizes top‑performing hospital units that demonstrate excellence in professional practice, patient care, and measurable clinical outcomes.
“We are incredibly proud of our ICU team for this well‑deserved recognition,” said Derek Drake, DNP, MBA, RN, FACHE, NE‑BC, CNML, CNL, President of Mercy Hospital. “This achievement reflects the dedication, collaboration, and compassion our caregivers bring to every patient interaction. It underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality, safety, and patient‑centered care.”
The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes hospital units whose nursing teams consistently set the national benchmark for exceptional care. To qualify, units must meet rigorous criteria across key performance areas, including leadership and staffing structures, staff engagement, effective communication, evidence‑based practice, continuous learning, and patient outcome measurement.
“This award is a direct reflection of the teamwork and shared purpose that define our ICU,” said Agnes Dziadosz, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager of Mercy Hospital’s ICU and RR/VAT Team. “Our nurses and interdisciplinary partners are deeply committed to creating a healthy and supportive work environment that empowers our staff to deliver compassionate, high‑quality care and achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Currently, both Mercy Hospital’s ICU and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) have earned Beacon national quality recognition. The Beacon Award includes bronze, silver, and gold designation levels, recognizing progressive efforts to continuously improve patient care and unit performance.
