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St. Luke's Hospital Earns Prestigious Nursing Designation
Southcoast Health becomes the only multi-hospital system in New England with the Pathway to Excellence recognition.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:03am
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The Pathway to Excellence designation shines a light on the vital role nurses play in delivering exceptional patient care.New Bedford TodaySt. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts has earned the prestigious Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, making Southcoast Health the only multi-hospital system in New England to achieve this recognition across all its hospitals. The designation highlights hospitals that foster supportive practice environments, shared governance, and elevate nurses' voices.
Why it matters
The Pathway to Excellence designation is a significant achievement that demonstrates St. Luke's commitment to creating a positive work environment for nurses and elevating the nursing profession. This recognition helps attract and retain top nursing talent, which is crucial for providing high-quality patient care.
The details
To earn the Pathway to Excellence designation, at least 60% of a hospital's nurses must participate in a survey about their workplace environment. St. Luke's exceeded this requirement with 78% participation. The hospital's nurses have been actively involved in wellbeing initiatives, shared governance days, relaunched unit-based councils, and implementing evidence-based projects. They have also collaborated with community partners to provide donations to vulnerable community members.
- St. Luke's Hospital earned the Pathway to Excellence designation in 2026.
- Charlton Memorial and Tobey Hospital, the other two Southcoast Health hospitals, received their Pathway to Excellence designations in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The players
Alicia Pimentel
DNP, RN, and associate chief nursing officer for St. Luke's Hospital.
Jacqueline Somerville
PhD, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Southcoast Health.
Southcoast Health
A multi-hospital system in New England that has earned the Pathway to Excellence designation across all its hospitals.
What they’re saying
“Our exceptional nurses have played a pivotal role in achieving this honor. This accomplished group of professionals exemplifies a culture of excellence and the highest standards of care for our patients.”
— Alicia Pimentel, DNP, RN, and associate chief nursing officer for St. Luke's Hospital
“This recognition affirms the caring and inclusive environment we have created – one where nurses are empowered, engaged and encouraged to grow both professionally and personally.”
— Jacqueline Somerville, PhD, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Southcoast Health
What’s next
Southcoast Health plans to continue its efforts to maintain the Pathway to Excellence designation across all its hospitals, ensuring that its nurses are supported and empowered to provide the highest quality of care to patients.
The takeaway
The Pathway to Excellence designation is a prestigious recognition that highlights St. Luke's Hospital's commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment for its nurses. This achievement not only benefits the nursing staff but also the patients they serve, as it helps attract and retain top nursing talent and fosters a culture of excellence in healthcare.
