The Santa Clara Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) has been awarded the Gold Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The Beacon Award for Excellence honors units that demonstrate outstanding outcomes in patient care, nurse engagement, and evidence-based practice.
Santa Clara’s 20-bed CVICU provides expert care for patients undergoing cardiac surgery and those with advanced heart failure requiring intravenous medications or mechanical circulatory support. Earning this award reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and a healthy work environment — key factors proven to enhance nurse well-being, job satisfaction, and patient outcomes. This achievement strongly aligns with our 2025 Organizational Strategic Plan, specifically the People & Culture pillar, which emphasizes advancing a culture of nursing excellence and fostering a stable, engaged workforce where every team member feels valued and supported.
This milestone was made possible through extraordinary collaborative efforts of CVICU Clinical Nurses Casey Roth, BSN, RN, CCRN, Candace Zobenica, BSN, RN, CCRN, CSC, and Jamie Guilbeau, MSN, RN, CCRN, Nurse Manager Patrick Shane, BSN, RN, CCRN, Clinical Nursing Director Danielle Yen, MSN, RN, CNL, and Associate Chief Nurse Executive Angie Sokal, DNP, RN. Leadership’s advocacy and rapid response to supporting any needs for the Beacon application, combined with the clinical nurses’ meticulous attention to every detail of the submission, ensured that each requirement was met with excellence. From initiating the application process to completing the healthy work environment assessment and compiling evidence-based practices, the CVICU team demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and a shared commitment to quality.
The Gold Beacon Award is more than a designation, it is a symbol of excellence, collaboration, and innovation. Congratulations to the CVICU team for setting a gold standard in critical care nursing and inspiring us all to reach higher.