Emergency Department at PVHMC Recognized with National Lantern Award for Excellence

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center’s (PVHMC) Emergency Department (ED) has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, which recognizes exceptional innovation and evidence-based practice improvements that resulted in improved patient care and staff well-being. PVHMC is one of 126 hospitals in the nation, and 12 in California, to receive the three-year recognition in 2026.

To be considered for a Lantern, departments must submit a comprehensive application which measures the ways they excel at meeting challenges that range from ED boarding to lowering the time it takes for stroke patients to receive care to improving pediatric readiness or enhancing nurse professional development. A committee scores applications to determine recipients annually.

The ED at PVHMC offers highly specialized care for several programs, a few of which include:

• Trauma Center: 24/7 care for lifesaving traumatic injuries, accredited by the American College of Surgeons
• Comprehensive Stroke Center: top-tier designation for advanced, lifesaving stroke intervention, accredited by the Joint Commission
• STEMI & Chest Pain Center: specialized, rapid response for severe heart attacks and cardiac emergencies, accredited by the American College of Cardiology
• Sepsis Program: specialized sepsis emergency protocols to rapidly identify and treat septic patients, accredited by the Joint Commission
• Pediatric Emergency Care (EDAP): meets strict county standards for emergency pediatric readiness, designated by the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency

“It’s an exceptional honor for our Emergency Department to be named a Lantern Award Recipient by the Emergency Nurses Association,” says Richard E. Yochum, FACHE, President/CEO, PVHMC. “In a fast-paced emergency department like ours, where we see up to 300 patients every day, this recognition is a reflection of our commitment to nursing excellence and compassionate, high-quality care for our community.”

As one of the busiest EDs in the region, in 2025, the department served more than 97,000 patients. Its nurses are committed to maintaining a level of excellence by participating in continued education to earn national certifications.

"Our patients come to us knowing that we have the knowledge, expertise and specialized care that they need during the most critical moments of their lives," says James Kim, MD, medical director of the emergency department at PVHMC. "Saving lives just becomes what you do every day...it's what is expected of us. But getting an award like this makes you take a step back and realize that people really do see the hard work we put in."

PVHMC and fellow Lantern recipients will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications 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, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. “The Lanterns reflect intentional work, measurable improvement and a culture that never stops asking to better serve patients, teams and communities. That’s what excellence in emergency nursing looks like.”

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About Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC), a nationally recognized and accredited 427-bed, not-for-profit community medical center and trauma center, proudly serves residents in eastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties. PVHMC’s accolades include The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for advanced certification in inpatient diabetes care, laboratory, palliative care, sepsis, pneumonia, perinatal care, and total joint replacement. As one of the largest birthing hospitals in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, PVHMC is honored to hold the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation. The Hospital has been recognized by Leapfrog™ with a “A” grade for patient safety. For more information, visit pvhmc.org.

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With 40,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.