WILLIAMSBURG — Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg has been awarded the prestigious Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association, a national honor recognizing excellence in emergency care, Riverside Health announced.
According to Riverside Health, the award highlights emergency departments that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, quality, positive patient outcomes and a supportive work environment. RDHW is now the second Riverside acute care hospital to receive this distinction, following Riverside Regional Medical Center in 2024.
“Receiving the Lantern Award is an incredible honor that speaks to the effort, expertise, and compassion of our Emergency Department team,” said Jennifer Barthlome, Chief Nursing Officer at RDHW. “In one of the most fast-paced and demanding environments in health care, our nurses and teams consistently rise to the occasion — delivering exceptional care, comforting families and making critical decisions in moments that truly matter.”
According to Riverside Health, the Lantern Award is based on demonstrated excellence in five core areas: leadership in practice, leadership in operations, education, advocacy and research. The three-year award is a visible symbol of the department’s commitment to safety, quality and patient satisfaction. It provides a benchmark for other departments striving for excellence in emergency nursing and patient care.
“Under the exceptional leadership of our Clinical Coordinator, Victoria Davis, this team has built a culture grounded in clinical excellence, collaboration, resilience and patient-centered care,” said Craig Beck, Director of the Emergency Department at RDHW. “Our emergency department has built a strong culture of shared governance, where frontline team members actively lead projects and drive improvements in care processes. This collective ownership empowers the team to continuously elevate the quality of care we provide to our patients.”
“As a smaller hospital with deep roots in this community, we’ve always seen ourselves as more than just a place for medical care — we’re a trusted partner in times of need. The Lantern Award is a powerful recognition of the care our Emergency Department team provides to every patient who walks through our doors,” added Adria Vanhoozier, President of RDHW. “It reflects the heart of who we are: a dedicated team showing up every day to make a difference and a commitment to serve with compassion, readiness and heart—because when our community needs us, we’re here to help.”
RDHW is a full-service department offering emergency care for heart attack, stroke trauma and more. Riverside Health notes the hospital is a certified Primary Stroke Center, and its Emergency Department is one of only two in the state to achieve Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation, underscoring its commitment to high-quality, age-sensitive care for older adults.
To learn more about Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg, visit riversideonline.com/rdhw.
