The N.C. Nurses Association recognized several Wilmington-area providers with awards at its annual meeting this fall, according to a news release.

Dosher Memorial Hospital earned the award for “Best Practice" in the category of "Caring for Each Other," officials said in a release.
 
The award was for the hospital’s Surgical Services Suite for implementing a program that eliminates surgical smoke from its operating rooms, Dosher officials said in a release.

“This is the third award the past two years for this program that improves the health and safety of patients, or staff and surgeons,” officials stated in the release.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center Emergency Department -- Patient Assistance Center also earned a "Caring for Others" award in the Best Practice category. And the University of North Carolina Wilmington FACES Program earned the "Caring for Ourselves" award.

The 2018 Leadership Academy graduates included Elena Meadows, Wilmington, and Robert Segars, Wrightsville Beach.

"NCNA’s Annual Convention gives attendees the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and earn valuable professional development experience at the largest nursing event of the year in North Carolina," officials said in the release.