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Peconic Bay Medical Center Receives Gold Beacon Award for Excellence by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Contact: Victoria Palacio
(631) 548-6804
vpalacio1@northwell.edu

Riverhead, NY– Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) announced that it has received a Gold Level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The prestigious award specifically celebrated the Orthopedic team in Surgical Pavilion 1 (SP1) for providing the highest level of individualized patient care and elevating the health of the Eastern Suffolk County community.

The Beacon Award for Excellence honors hospital units with an exceptional track record of patient outcomes and that have exhibited strong leadership structures, staffing management, professional development and use of evidence-based practices. The Gold Level is the highest achievement for the Beacon Award for Excellence, and Peconic Bay Medical Center’s SP1 was the only medical-surgical unit in New York State to achieve this prestigious designation this year.

“Peconic Bay Medical Center is a community hospital, and our mission is to continuously advance the level of care available in Eastern Suffolk County,” 
said Christine Kippley, RN, MBA, NE-BC, CCM, PBMC Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “This award is a testament to the resources we have put into the pursuit of that mission and the dedication and expertise of our team. We are all incredibly proud. From the start of my career as a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the strength and compassion that nurses bring to their work every day. This recognition has special meaning because it honors the exceptional care that our nurses, the true heroes of our hospital, provide our community. We’ve built a culture centered on teamwork and excellence, and this award celebrates the extraordinary efforts we make to empower our community through world-class healthcare. Congratulations to the SP1 team for this well-deserved recognition.”

Based on the comprehensive, three-year evaluation, PBMC received high marks across the board for the processes and systems SP1 has in place to ensure consistent, optimal patient treatment and that the critical care teams can work as a cohesive team.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” said AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM. “Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”

SP1 is an 18-bed inpatient medical surgical unit with a specialty focus on knee and hip replacements, spinal fusion, abdominal and breast surgeries and occasional medical diagnoses. The orthopedic joint replacement program is accredited by the Joint Commission and has been rated High Performing in Hip Fracture treatment as well as Hip and Knee Replacement by US News & World Report.

“Peconic Bay Medical Center’s award-winning approach to orthopedic surgery makes it the top choice for patients in the region,” said Michael Ciminiello, MD, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, who has been rated as the top orthopedic surgeon for hip and knee replacements in New York State by Dexur. “Our expert surgical teams work alongside dedicated physical therapists and rehabilitation professionals to create personalized care plans that support faster recovery and better outcomes. Whether it’s inpatient or outpatient care, every step of the process is designed to ensure the highest quality of care and convenience for our patients.”

When performing orthopedic surgery, PBMC follows a multi-disciplinary approach to provide customized, nationally recognized treatment plans to promote healing and improve strength and mobility. Surgery is performed in the award-winning Kanas Center for Advanced Surgery, which contains advanced surgical suites, and patients benefit from the onsite Cary Grossman Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation to support their recovery–all under one roof. PBMC also offers outpatient rehabilitation and in-home services customizable to each patient after discharge from the hospital. In 2023, Peconic Bay Medical Center completed more than 1,200 orthopedic joint replacements.

Peconic Bay Medical Center stands as the premier destination for cutting-edge orthopedic services in eastern Suffolk County, setting the standard for excellence on Long Island’s East End. For more information about Peconic Bay Medical Center’s extensive orthopedic services, visit pbmchealth.org/ortho.

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About Peconic Bay Medical Center
Located in Riverhead, NY, Peconic Bay Medical Center is a 144-bed nonprofit hospital committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves. Peconic Bay Medical Center offers wide-ranging, full-scope services and programs, including advanced surgical, cardiac, orthopedic and women’s health care, comprehensive inpatient medical care, palliative care and an extensive range of outpatient services, along with state-of-the-art technology. Peconic Bay Medical Center joined Northwell Health in 2016. For more information, visitPBMCHealth.org and follow us on FacebookInstagram and LinkedIn.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses:
Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, California, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN represents the interests of more than half a million acute and critical care nurses and includes more than 200 chapters in the United States. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. To learn more about AACN, visit www.aacn.org, connect with the organization on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/aacnface or follow AACN on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aacnme.