Cooper University Health Care’s Camden Emergency Department has earned the prestigious Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, one of the highest honors in emergency nursing. The award is a national recognition of excellence in patient care, nursing leadership, innovation, education, advocacy, and research.
As South Jersey’s only Level I Trauma Center and the flagship hospital of one of the region’s leading academic health systems, Cooper University Hospital is home to one of the busiest emergency departments in the region. Annually, Cooper’s emergency department treats nearly 86,000 patients. In 2025 alone, Cooper’s Camden Emergency Department treated 85,903 patients, providing expert care for everything from life-threatening trauma and critical illness to everyday medical emergencies.
The Lantern Award is ENA’s premier recognition program, honoring emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional performance across nursing leadership, clinical practice, education, advocacy, and research. The award recognizes organizations that foster a culture of nursing excellence, support professional development, embrace evidence-based practice, and create healthy work environments that lead to better patient outcomes.
Only approximately 90 to 100 emergency departments out of almost 6,000 nationwide receive the Lantern Award during each award cycle. The award places Cooper’s Camden Emergency Department among an elite group of hospitals recognized for setting the highest standards in emergency nursing.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication, expertise, and compassion of our emergency department team,” said Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing executive for Cooper University Health Care. “Every day, our nurses care for patients facing some of the most critical moments of their lives. Receiving the ENA Lantern Award is a testament to their unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, teamwork, and delivering the highest quality care to every patient who comes through our doors.”
Named in honor of Florence Nightingale—the “Lady of the Lamp” whose nighttime rounds caring for wounded soldiers became a lasting symbol of compassion and dedication—the Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments that serve as national leaders in nursing excellence.
“The ENA Lantern Award recognizes more than clinical excellence. This award reflects the culture our emergency department team has built together,” said Stephanie Prendergast, BSN, RN, clinical director of Cooper’s Emergency Department. “Every day, our nurses, physicians, technicians, and support staff work collaboratively to provide exceptional care while fostering an environment of innovation, compassion, and continuous learning. We are honored to receive this national recognition.”
A key contributor to this effort was Cooper Clinical Educator Danielle Kobner, RN, whose leadership and commitment helped guide the team through the extensive process of collecting, organizing, and showcasing years of achievements and outcomes.