BWH celebrated its receipt of Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) on May 24, marking a historic moment for the institution as it joined the 8 percent of U.S. hospitals honored with this elite recognition.

The news was announced during a dramatic reveal in Bornstein Amphitheater, with Brigham Health senior leadership, nursing leaders and BWH Magnet champions listening to a live broadcast of the call from ANCC sharing its decision.

“The commission on Magnet has unanimously voted to credential Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” the ANCC representative said. Cheers immediately erupted in Bornstein while confetti rained down. BWHers hugged each other in celebration, some shedding tears of joy for the culmination of a journey that began in 2014.

While the Magnet Recognition Program’s roots are in nursing, it honors the work and culture of an entire institution.

In a hospital-wide memo announcing the news, Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, and Chief Nursing Officer and Service Vice President for Patient Care Services Maddy Pearson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, thanked staff for the exceptional work they do every day and for their tireless efforts throughout the Magnet journey.

“We have believed for quite some time that the high-quality care we provide and our staff support structures satisfy the criteria for Magnet. We are so proud to announce that it’s now official,” Nabel and Pearson wrote.

Noting that several of the Magnet standards are specific to nursing, Nabel and Pearson extended a special congratulation to the Brigham’s 3,500 nurses for this recognition of the care they provide as part of a multidisciplinary team.

“Receiving Magnet designation affirms what we and our patients already knew: that nursing care at the Brigham is second to none,” Nabel and Pearson wrote.

An event celebrating this achievement will be held Friday, June 1. Stay tuned to your BWH email for more details.