Trinity Health Grand Rapids Neurology Unit Wins Prestigious Beacon Award for Excellence

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (January 12, 2025) – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has awarded the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hauenstein Neurosciences Center Neurology Unit its prestigious Beacon Award for Excellence. The award recognizes hospital nursing units that achieve exceptional patient outcomes through evidence-based care, leadership, and health work environments. The unit won the Silver Award, one of three levels of achievement offered by the AACN (Bronze, Silver, and Gold). 

Trinity Health Grand Rapids Neurology Unit is now one of four non-dedicated ICUs in the state to receive this recognition. This unit is an acuity adjusted neuroscience unit and the team cares for critical care, step-down, and medical surgical level patients. All patients have neurological and neurosurgical conditions. The Trinity Health Grand Rapids Cardiology/Transplant nursing unit is also a Silver Beacon award recipient, as is the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Critical Care unit. 

“Obtaining this award is a testament to the team’s drive to achieve excellence in the care they provide daily,” said Leanna Krukowski, MSN, RN, administrative director, Neuroscience Services, Trinity Health West Michigan. “The active Unit Based Council drove this work with the passion of the leadership team. This team is highly engaged and they are always willing to improve care and processes to achieve superior patient care. Neurology is such a deserving unit and our patients benefit from this excellence!”

The AACN gave the Silver Award to the Neurology unit for demonstrating continued excellence in five key categories:

• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing & Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management & Learning
• Evidence-Based Practice & Processes
• Outcome Measurements 

“It is a privilege to work alongside the dedicated and compassionate nurses of the Neurology unit who care for patients with complex neurological conditions every day,” said Rachel Catinella, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, AGCNS-BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neuroscience, Trinity Health Grand Rapids. “Earning the AACN Beacon Award reflects the team’s sustained commitment to excellence in patient care, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This recognition highlights their focus on patient safety, quality outcomes, and the ongoing dedication of these nurses to the community they serve.”

Learn more about Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hauenstein Neurosciences and neurology services here.