SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 20, 2026) – HonorHealth, a leading Valley-based nonprofit healthcare system serving more than five million people in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, announced that the Critical Care Department at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center earned the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Bronze Beacon Award for Excellence. This national recognition honors hospital units that consistently deliver superior patient outcomes, strong nursing leadership, and foster healthy work environments.
HonorHealth now has 12 nursing units across five medical centers that have earned Beacon designations. These 12 award-winning units represent three-quarters of the 16 Beacon-recognized units in Arizona, the most of any health system in the state. The achievement underscores HonorHealth’s continued investment in clinical excellence and unparalleled patient care.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our nursing team,” said John Bowles, vice president and chief nursing officer at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center. “Our nurses are deeply committed to patient safety, quality outcomes, and compassionate care. This recognition reflects the exceptional work happening every day in our critical care unit.”
“Beacon recognition reinforces our mission to improve the health and well-being of those we serve,” said Teresa Connolly, enterprise chief nursing executive for HonorHealth. “It reflects the strength of our nursing teams and the collaborative culture that drives quality, innovation, and trust across our organization.”
The Beacon Award for Excellence celebrates hospital units that employ evidence-practices to improve patient and family outcomes, foster healthy work environments, and empower nurses and leaders to continually advance care. The recognition reflects an organization’s ongoing focus on delivering exceptional care through empowering nurses to create a supportive care environment.