Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center’s Emergency Department has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award, which recognizes emergency departments for experienced leadership, innovation and evidence-based practice improvements that result in higher-quality patient care and staff well-being.
“This recognition reflects the dedication, teamwork and commitment to clinical excellence demonstrated by our Emergency Department every day. We strive to plant a seed of hope to all who enter our doors,” said Denise Martin, RN, trauma program director and emergency services director at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. “Our team continues to look for ways to improve care, support our staff and provide an experienced experience for the patients, families and community we serve.”
Additionally, Lisa Do, RN, emergency department clinical manager at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, said, “The Lantern Award represents who we are as an Emergency Department—a team that continuously challenges itself to improve, innovate and provide high-quality care for every patient and family who comes through our doors. I am incredibly proud of our nurses, technicians, providers and interdisciplinary partners whose dedication, compassion and commitment to excellence made this achievement possible. This recognition belongs to our entire Emergency Department team, and we are grateful to be part of an organization that supports our continued growth and commitment to excellence in emergency care.”
The department’s Lantern journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing patient care, quality, safety, staff engagement and the overall patient and family experience. Examples highlighted in the application include the ED Flower Journey initiative, which focuses on intentional communication, bedside presence and family engagement to keep patients informed, strengthen trust and create a more personalized care experience. Additional efforts include improving timely antibiotic administration, andadvancing quality and safety outcomes.
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is among 126 emergency departments that will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications, on the ENA website and during Emergency Nursing 2026, the association’s annual conference in Phoenix, Sept. 28–Oct. 1.
“The Lantern recognizes something incredibly special. It isn’t an award for an individual or an entire hospital—it’s a recognition earned by an emergency department and the team that powers it every day,” said ENA President Dustin Bass, RN. “Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center is one of 126 emergency departments to achieve a Lantern Award this year.”
For more information on this year’s Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Association website.