SHREVEPORT, La. — Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center is proud to announce its Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has been awarded the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This recognition places the PICU in a select group of hospital units across the nation delivering top-tier critical care. Ochsner LSU Health is one of only four hospitals in the state to currently hold this designation and the only location outside of New Orleans. It is the only pediatric unit in Louisiana to earn this award.

The Beacon Award for Excellence, established in 2003, is a prestigious honor in critical care, recognizing units that exceed national standards in patient outcomes, staff engagement and work environment. To earn the recognition, units must undergo a rigorous evaluation process covering six essential areas of performance:

• Leadership structure and systems
• Appropriate staffing and staff engagement
• Effective communication
• Knowledge management and learning and development
• Evidence-based practices and processes
• Outcome measurement

Earning the Beacon Award signifies the Ochsner LSU Health PICU’s ability to meet these criteria while fostering innovation, collaboration and compassionate patient care. The recognition highlights the expertise and dedication of the St. Mary Medical Center team, reassuring families that their children are in capable and caring hands during critical moments.

“The AACN Beacon Award reaffirms our core value at Ochsner LSU Health – putting patients and their families first,” said David Callecod, CEO of Ochsner LSU Health. “This recognition demonstrates the exceptional care and unwavering commitment by our PICU team to ensure children and families receive not only the highest standard of medical treatment but also a supportive and reassuring environment. It exemplifies our mission to lead with compassion, excellence and innovation.”

The Beacon Award isn’t just a reflection of the quality of care provided to patients, it also emphasizes the importance of a healthy and supportive workplace for caregivers. Units that achieve Beacon status demonstrate lower staff turnover, stronger morale and higher engagement, all of which directly contribute to delivering better outcomes for patients. By earning this distinction, the PICU at Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center underscores its success in creating a collaborative and empowering environment for its team of skilled nurses, physicians and specialists.

This recognition adds to St. Mary Medical Center’s growing list of accolades for women’s and children’s services, which also includes a Leapfrog Grade A rating for hospital quality and safety, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care, and a 2025 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care designation from U.S. News &World Report.

For more information about Ochsner LSU Health and to find a provider visit ochsnerlsuhs.org