USC-VHH Emergency Department Receives National Recognition for Nursing Excellence

Award recognizes exceptional leadership, clinical practice, education and advocacy

For the third consecutive time, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital’s (USC-VHH) emergency department nurses received the prestigious 2025 Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, which recognizes emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional leadership, clinical practice, education and advocacy, resulting in improved patient care and staff well-being.

“This award is a testament to the dedication, resilience and compassion of our emergency department team,” said Theresa Murphy, RN, MS, CENP, chief nursing officer with USC-VHH. “As a community hospital serving the Foothill communities, we are incredibly proud to be recognized on a national level for delivering high-quality, patient-centered emergency care.”

Fewer than 100 emergency departments across the country received this distinction this year, and USC-VHH is one of just six in California to be recognized, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to clinical excellence while meeting the unique needs of the local community.

Recipients of the Lantern Award undergo a rigorous application and peer-review process in which they must demonstrate excellence across a range of performance metrics, including quality of care, clinical outcomes, staff engagement and continuous improvement initiatives.

Nurses from USC-VHH’s emergency department attended ENA’s Emergency Nursing 2025 conference, held Sept. 17–20 in New Orleans, where they accepted the award on behalf of the hospital.

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