WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital's emergency department team is one of only three teams nationwide to be recognized for its outstanding efforts as the 2023 Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) National Certification Champion. This annual award recognizes health care organizations from across the country that support emergency, pediatric emergency, trauma, flight, and critical care ground transport nursing excellence through nursing specialty certification.

"Being named a BCEN National Certification Champion demonstrates WellSpan's mission to provide optimal patient outcomes by investing in nurses who are at the top of their profession and dedicated to lifelong learning," said Orie Chambers, chief nursing officer at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. "We have recently been able to double our number of certified emergency nurses. We know that research links specialty certification with improved patient outcomes, allowing WellSpan to deliver the safest, most efficient and highest quality care possible."

One national winner is selected in three separate categories by a judging panel of emergency, trauma and transport nursing experts and industry leaders. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital has been named the 2023 BCEN National Certification Champion in the Small Healthcare Organization category.

National Certification Champion winners are selected based on their commitment to specialty certification as demonstrated through innovative programs and effective practices that encourage, support, recognize and reward nurses who achieve and maintain BCEN emergency, trauma, and/or transport specialty certification.

More than 50,000 registered nurses worldwide hold one or more BCEN credentials, with over 40,000 holding the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). BCEN was founded in 1980 and offers certification programs to nurses across the emergency spectrum.

For more information on WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with the health system this weekend, click here.