Muma Children’s Hospital Receives Recognition for Emergency Center Excellence

The Emergency Nurses Association announced Muma Children's Hospital as a Lantern Award recipient.

Tampa, FL (August 11, 2026) – Muma Children's Hospital at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received the 2026 Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, a distinction recognizing emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. The ENA Lantern Award serves as a symbol of an emergency center’s commitment to quality, safety, evidence-based practice, innovation and a healthy work environment. This marks the first time Muma Children’s Hospital has received the award, making it the only children’s hospital and academic medical center on Florida’s West Coast and one of only eight nationwide to earn the honor.

“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our emergency care team, whose commitment to evidence-based practice and compassionate care has directly improved outcomes for the children and families we serve,” said Sarah Frahn, vice president of Muma Children's Hospital at TGH and the TGH Women’s Institute. “As a Lantern Award recipient, we know the work happening every day in our pediatric emergency department meets the highest standards in the nation.”

“Earning the ENA Lantern Award is a testament to the dedication, professionalism and teamwork our emergency nursing team brings forward every day,” said Nikki Hurley, senior director of nursing for Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH. “This award recognizes the meaningful difference for our patients, families, colleagues and organization. It also affirms that our emergency nursing team consistently leads with compassion, clinical excellence, innovation and resilience.”

Tampa General Hospital also holds verification as a Level I Trauma Center for both adults and pediatrics by the American College of Surgeons, making it one of only three hospitals in Florida with this dual designation. The pediatric emergency and trauma center operates within Muma Children's Hospital, which provides a full spectrum of medical, surgical and rehabilitative services for infants, children and adolescents across more than 31 pediatric subspecialties.