Bridgeport, CT (April, 7, 2026) – Bridgeport Hospital recently received the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Prism Award, one of the highest national recognitions for nursing leadership-driven organizational excellence. It recognizes organizations that support the strategic objectives of addressing disparities in health care outcomes, healthy work environments, nurse well-being and safety across all roles and settings within a healthcare organization. It’s presented to only one organization nationwide each year.
“Being the only organization in the nation to receive the AONL Prism Award this year is an extraordinary distinction and a powerful validation of the excellence of our nursing team,” said Anne Diamond, DBA, JD, president of Bridgeport Hospital. “Their dedication to advancing health equity, supporting one another and improving outcomes for our patients and communities defines who we are as an organization and sets a national standard for nursing excellence.”
Bridgeport Hospital was recognized for its nurse‑led commitment to advancing health equity, workforce well‑being and community impact, highlighted by more than $145 million invested from 2022 to 2024 to improve access to care and build healthier communities. Those efforts included initiatives to strengthen maternal and infant health, expand preventive screenings, remove psychosocial barriers to care and support nurses across all roles. AONL highlighted the nurses at Bridgeport Hospital who led research to address implicit bias, partnered with families through preventive and home‑visiting programs and volunteered throughout the community, reinforcing their roles as advocates, innovators and leaders in care both inside and outside the hospital.
“The AONL Prism Award is a powerful affirmation of the critical role our nurses play in advancing health equity, strengthening our workforce and improving the health of the communities we serve,” said Mary Christoffersen, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer for Bridgeport Hospital. “This recognition reflects the compassion, innovation and leadership our nurses demonstrate every day, both at the bedside and beyond our hospital walls. It underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering inclusive, equitable care for all.”
“Our nurses should be incredibly proud of this moment,” added Joubin Bavarian, RN vice president of Operations and Nursing at Bridgeport Hospital. “Their dedication, creativity and willingness to lead beyond traditional roles are what set our organization apart on a national stage. This award celebrates the heart of nursing at Bridgeport Hospital, shown in the teamwork, innovation and deep commitment to our patients and community that our nurses bring to their work every single day.”
Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org
