Atrium Health Union Wins 2025 ANCC Pathway Award® Sponsored by Press Ganey
North Carolina hospital honored for groundbreaking AI-driven innovation
ATLANTA –– October 8, 2025 –– The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) announced today that Atrium Health Union in Monroe, North Carolina has received the 2025 ANCC Pathway Award®. The award, sponsored by Press Ganey, was presented at the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference™ in Atlanta. It recognizes an ANCC Pathway to Excellence® organization for its advancements in a program that promotes innovation and exemplifies the Pathway to Excellence standards while promoting a positive practice setting.
Atrium Health Union will receive $100,000 to scale its winning project, Preparing the Front-Line Nurse for AI, which aims to better train nurses for the integration of artificial intelligence into their workflows. Most immediately, the training program will be used to implement an ambient voice tool that assists with documentation, reducing cognitive burden for nurses and allowing for increased time with patients.
The project uses a human-centered approach for integrating ambient secure voice technology into everyday nursing practice. The approach combines human factors engineering, change management principles, and virtual simulation to enable nurses to practice using this technology in a safe, risk-free, yet realistic environment. The human factors engineering process involves observation of human workflows, allowing for optimization and removal of barriers to adoption. The change management strategy emphasizes psychological safety, reassuring nurses that AI supports, rather than replaces, nurses’ expertise and clinical judgment.
“Nurses rise to new challenges every day, and AI can be a tool to help them,” said Denise White, vice president, facility executive, and chief nursing officer at Atrium Health Union. “This award is more than a recognition; it is a catalyst for transformation. Integrating this technology allows us to further our Atrium Health purpose. Through this enhanced training, I believe nurses will begin to see how AI can complement their work, allowing them to better connect with their patients and elevate the care experience for every patient we serve.”
The goal of the Atrium Health Union project is to create an evidence-based framework that can be customized across healthcare settings and nursing specialties. Success will be measured not only in metrics, but in the ability to inspire confidence and trust from nurses in the value of ambient voice technology, encouraging widespread acceptance and utilization.
“Congratulations to Atrium Health Union on being named the recipient of the 2025 ANCC Pathway Award®,” said Jeff Doucette, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Press Ganey. “This forward-thinking approach to preparing nurses for AI adoption shows a deep commitment to supporting the frontline. The way Atrium is prioritizing psychological safety, reducing administrative burden, and creating space for meaningful nurse-patient connection is setting a new standard for how technology should be introduced in healthcare. Press Ganey is excited to see the positive impact this work will have across the profession.”
“Atrium Health Union is an exemplary health system that models the core values and innovative spirit of what it truly means to be a Pathway designated organization by fostering a productive work environment through their innovation. Preparing the Front-Line Nurse for AI is a proven process that effectively streamlines nursing practice, so nurses can spend more time at the bedside,” said American Nurses Enterprise Chief Nursing Officer Brad Goettl, DNP, DHA, RN, FAAN, FACHE. of the . “I am eager to see the positive impact on patient outcomes as well as the many benefits for the nursing profession when Atrium Health Union brings their groundbreaking AI program to scale.”
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About American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center partners with the nation’s largest group of healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of nursing excellence. With a comprehensive suite of individual certifications and organizational accreditation programs designed to foster research, innovation, career growth, and leadership development, the credentialing center equips nurses to achieve safer, patient-centric outcomes both nationally and internationally. Committed to harnessing The Power of Nurses™ to elevate care standards worldwide, the credentialing center continuously sets the benchmarks that support excellence in every facet of nursing practice.
About the Pathway to Excellence® Program
The Pathway to Excellence® Program recognizes healthcare and long-term care organizations for positive practice environments where nurses excel. To qualify, organizations meet Pathway Standards essential to an ideal nursing practice environment. Nurses trust that Pathway-designated organizations respect their contributions, support professional development, and nurture optimal work settings.
About the Magnet & Pathway Conference™
The Magnet & Pathway Conference™ is the largest gathering of nurses in the world, convening thousands of frontline nurses, nurse leaders, executives, and innovators every year. Hosted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, this premier annual event celebrates excellence in nursing, advances evidence-based practice, and showcases the power of nurses to transform healthcare. Through dynamic keynote sessions, cutting-edge education, networking opportunities, and recognition of Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® organizations, the conference empowers nurses across every setting to lead change and elevate the profession.
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