BayCare Honored with Florida Nurses Association Icon Award

CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare has been selected to receive the prestigious Promoting Environment for Excellence in Nursing Practice Icon Award from the Florida Nurses Association (FNA). The award recognizes the health system's exceptional commitment to cultivating a supportive and innovative environment for professional nursing practice. BayCare leaders accepted the award during the annual FNA Membership Assembly on Sept. 25, 2025. 

"This award underscores BayCare's unwavering commitment to the well-being and professional fulfillment of our nurses and all team members," said President and CEO Stephanie Conners. "Supporting our nurses is deeply personal to me. As a nurse, I understand the challenges they face and the strength it takes to deliver exceptional care. That's why we've built a culture where nurses are empowered, valued and equipped to deliver exceptional care."

This prestigious honor from FNA celebrates organizations that go above and beyond to create workplaces where nurses thrive. "I visited BayCare for their Nurses Week celebration and was impressed by their commitment to nurse well-being and a healthy work environment," said FNA Executive Director Willa Hill. "FNA is thrilled to recognize BayCare Health System."

"At BayCare, our unmatched workplace culture empowers our nurses, who are a third of our workforce, and other team members to deliver on our mission: to improve the health of all we serve," said Trish Shucoski, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive at BayCare. "Nurse-led initiatives like our Professional Practice Councils and the Voices of Extraordinary Care program have created platforms where nurses are heard, respected and empowered. These efforts have strengthened our culture and inspired innovation across departments."

With an impressive portfolio of initiatives to support a culture of well-being, innovation, collaboration and shared decision-making, BayCare exemplifies this commitment across its expansive network of 16 hospitals, one of the largest provider groups in the region through BayCare Medical Group (BMG), a network of behavioral health services and one of Florida's largest home health agencies, BayCare HomeCare. 

"BayCare's nurse leadership team has been instrumental in driving transformational change across our health system," said Chief Team Resources Officer Nikki Daily. "Their vision and advocacy have not only elevated the nursing profession but have also created ripple effects that enhance the well-being and performance of our entire organization." 

This award joins a growing list of honors that recognize BayCare as a national leader in workforce well-being in health care. Other recent accolades include:

• Well-Being Excellence™ designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the first and only health system in Florida to receive the honor
  
  
• 13 Pathway to Excellence^® hospital designations and four ambulatory surgery center designations from ANCC
  
  
• The American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine^® Health System Recognition Program for BMG, recognizing our ongoing commitment to improving physician well-being and reducing burnout
  
  
• USA Today and Energage Top Workplaces in the USA
  
  
• PEOPLE^® Companies That Care
  
  
• Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care™

Learn more about BayCare's career opportunities: Careers at BayCare

About BayCare

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit academic health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals, including a children's hospital, and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org. 

About The Florida Nurses Association

The Florida Nurses Association (FNA) is the only statewide organization representing all nurses in Florida across every specialty and practice setting. As the voice of nurses in Tallahassee, FNA advocates for policies that protect both nurses and the patients they serve. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession and promote a healthy Florida.

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SOURCE BayCare Health System