American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Recognizes the Intensive Care Unit at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s with Beacon Award for Excellence

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the ICU at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s. This is a significant achievement as more than 575 units from across the country applied for the award in 2025.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence represents an important milestone in our journey toward delivering exceptional patient care,” says UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Chief Nursing Officer Wendy Lindley, RN, BSN, NE-BC. “It reflects the dedication, compassion and teamwork our caregivers demonstrate every day.”

The AACN applauds the commitment of the caregivers in the ICU at St. Luke’s for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence to achieve a silver-level designation. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” says AACN President Rebekah Marsh. “Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”

The award acknowledges unit caregivers who successfully improve unit outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units who earn this annual award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet specific criteria established by AACN that represent the characteristics and components of the unit environment that nurses can influence to achieve nursing excellence. This year, there were four units that applied for recognition in one or two individual modules. AACN congratulates these units on taking a step forward in improving their outcomes and work environment.

Many units provide exceptional patient care; however, Beacon-awarded units distinguish themselves by excelling in various areas demonstrated in their application. Through participation in the Beacon Award program, units can compare and reflect on their performance compared to global applicants. There are subtle differences for different scoring levels, often differentiated by 1 point or less. All awardees demonstrate dynamic and outstanding performance in the areas of: Patient Outcomes, Nursing Workforce and Work Environment.

To learn more about the care provided at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, visit unitypoint.org.