Children’s of Mississippi PICU earns highest national honor

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s of Mississippi has been awarded the Pediatric Nurse Excellence Diamond Award, the highest distinction presented by the Society of Pediatric Nurses. 

This prestigious recognition highlights the unit’s sustained commitment to excellence in pediatric critical care, teamwork and patient and family-centered care, and reflects the dedication of caregivers across the organization. 

“This recognition speaks to the exceptional level of care our team delivers every day,” said Dr. Mary Taylor, Suzan B. Thames Chair of Pediatrics and CEO of Children’s of Mississippi. “To be the only pediatric intensive care unit to receive this honor at any level and to achieve it at the highest designation is a remarkable accomplishment. It reinforces that children in Mississippi have access to truly world-class critical care close to home.” 

Now in only its third year, the national designation recognizes any unit where pediatric patients are cared for in both the inpatient and ambulatory space that demonstrate exceptional performance in clinical practice, leadership, collaboration and outcomes. This award represents the highest level of achievement within the program. 

For Gordon Gartrell, nurse manager for the PICU, the recognition is deeply personal. 

“I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude,” Gartrell said. “My first thought was of our nurses and team members who pour their hearts into this work every single day. It was incredibly meaningful to see their dedication recognized on a national level.” 

He said the award reflects a culture rooted in teamwork, trust and a shared mission. 

“This award reflects a culture where we support one another, celebrate successes together and stand side by side during the most difficult moments,” he said. “Everyone is united by a shared commitment to providing the very best care for our patients and their families possible.” 

That culture shows up not just in major milestones, but in everyday moments of care. 

“What sets us apart are the small, meaningful moments in our everyday care,” Gartrell said. “Taking extra time to comfort a family, collaborating closely with all members of our team during bedside rounds and continuously looking for ways to improve the care we provide.” 

He also emphasized the strength of collaboration across the unit. 

“The teamwork and camaraderie in our PICU are truly special,” he said. “The collaboration is seamless and highly coordinated. These interpersonal relationships largely influence and facilitate the superior clinical outcomes we see in our patients.” 

From a broader leadership perspective, the award reflects excellence across the full continuum of pediatric critical care. 

Wesley Smith, director pediatric intensive care, emergency department, critical care transport and outreach at Children’s of Mississippi, said the recognition highlights the dedication to excellent care in the PICU, beyond a single unit. 

“Achieving Diamond status reflects sustained excellence across the entire continuum of pediatric critical care,” Smith said. “From transport to the emergency department to intensive care, this recognition validates that care is coordinated, high-reliability and centered on patients and families at every stage.” 

He said the strength of the system lies in how seamlessly all areas throughout the children’s hospital work together. 

 “Each setting plays a distinct but interconnected role, with shared expectations and standardized communication ensuring care is consistent, timely and responsive across every phase of the patient’s journey. Through their commitment to collaboration, quality of care and accountability, the PICU has positioned itself as one of the premier ICUs in the world,” Smith said. 

He also emphasized the role of nursing leadership in sustaining that level of performance. 

“Nursing leadership is the connective force that translates high standards into daily practice,” he said.  

While the award is specific to the PICU, Smith said it reflects the strength of teams across the children’s hospital. 

“Excellence in pediatric critical care extends beyond a single unit,” he said. “Our emergency and transport teams are essential to how patients are identified, stabilized and safely transitioned into higher levels of care. Together, they form a cohesive system that delivers high-quality care at every touchpoint.” 

From an organizational perspective, the award reflects a broader culture of excellence in nursing and patient care. 

Kristin Hardy, interim chief nursing officer for Children’s of Mississippi, said the recognition represents the collective work of teams across the institution. 

“This award is a powerful affirmation of who we are as an organization,” Hardy said. “While the recognition highlights our PICU, it truly represents the collective dedication of caregivers across the children’s hospital who work every day to ensure children receive exceptional care close to home.” 

She said the honor is the result of a culture that prioritizes nursing excellence at every level. 

“From professional development and interprofessional governance to quality outcomes and family-centered care, our teams consistently demonstrate a commitment to excellence,” Hardy said. 

Hardy also emphasized what the recognition means for families across the state. 

“It sends a clear and reassuring message that families in Mississippi have access to nationally recognized, top-tier pediatric care without leaving home,” she said. “Our PICU team is delivering care that not only meets, but exceeds national standards.”