This is the fourth designation in a row for the SICU team, and an advancement to Gold.

The Surgical Trauma ICU team at North Carolina Memorial Hospital has earned a GOLD-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association for Critical Care Nurses (AACN). This is the fourth designation in a row for the SICU team, and an advancement to Gold.
This puts the SICU in elite company; in 2020, only 30 ICUs in the US received a Gold designation. They join five other entities within UNC Hospitals (7 Neurosciences, 5 East, 6 West, 5 Anderson North and 6 Bedtower) to reach Gold status. The application process is one that takes much time, teamwork and effort. It cannot be overstated what an honor this is.
“Over the past three years, the SICU team has built resilience through overcoming adversity as evidenced by our Gold Beacon designation by AACN,” said Amber Thompson, patient services manager at the SICU, “Despite staffing challenges, high acuity patients, team losses, and a pandemic, the SICU team has proven excellence in leadership, staff engagement, growth, communication, processes, and patient outcomes. We are honored and proud of our journey of excellence.”