August award winners
We are delighted to announce that across the Trust, 27 individuals and teams won a Kind, Connected and Bold award in August.
Congratulations to all of our winners:
Good Hope Hospital
Rebecca Evans, Staff Nurse, Surgical Assessment Unit, Emergency General Surgery
For Rebecca’s care and compassion for patients. Rebecca consistently strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for those under her care. She is extremely hands-on and proactive in her approach.
Jade Siviter, Healthcare Assistant, Emergency Medicine
Nominated by a patient, who said: “Jade lifted our spirits in A&E with her positive, helpful and engaging personality. Jade was caring and considerate. On what was a difficult night for everyone including the nursing staff, it was lovely to have a shining light keeping us going.”
Cynthia D'Aguilar, Operations Manager, Endocrinology/Diabetes
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Cynthia is always there to lend a hand when I am swamped, even when she’s really busy herself. She’s been incredibly kind and supportive, always ready to be a shoulder to lean on during tough work moments.”
Ward 3, Gastroenterology
For the team’s excellent engagement in their revised SHOP (sick, home, other, plans) model and multi-professional ward and board round standards. The team has received feedback that the process has been enacted positively and effectively, with significant length of stay reductions.
Heartlands Hospital
Ward 1, Acute Medicine and Short Stay
For the team’s exceptional pastoral care, sensitivity and compassion. The team supported a patient to enable her to attend her son’s funeral virtually as she was clinically unstable and couldn’t leave the hospital. They emotionally supported her through the process.
Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Ward 6, Cardiology
Nominated by a patient, who said: “From being met on the ambulance by the lead nurse, to the theatre staff, nursing team, healthcare assistants and the catering team; I could not have asked for better care.”
Safina Bibi, Phlebotomist, Outpatient Clinic
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “I was undertaking an observation of care on Ward 2 at Heartlands Hospital. The primary aim of these observations is to assess current standards of communication and compassionate care. Safina demonstrated compassion and kindness with a patient and their interaction will stay with the patient for a long time.”
Betsy Machugad, Sister, Renal Medicine
For Betsy’s demonstration of exceptional leadership by effectively supporting two wards with the coordination and execution of weekend discharges. Betsy successfully ensured that patients were discharged before noon, contributing significantly to patient flow.
Ndabezinhle Hove, Charge Nurse and Samantha Hyland, Ward Administrator, Stroke Medicine
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “I started in stroke as the matron in June 2024, and without the dedication of both Ndaba and Sam the ward would not be in the position it is in today. Both have worked tirelessly to support me in my role and have consistently ensured that our patients receive optimal care.”
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Moncy Antony, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiology
Nominated by a patient, who said: “I would like to nominate Moncy in recognition of the exceptional care and compassion she showed me during one of the most challenging times in my life. On the day of my heart surgery, Moncy’s calming presence and quiet reassurance helped ease my fears and gave me the strength I needed to face the day.”
Mafanta Juwara, Healthcare Support Worker, Critical Care and Outreach
Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “Mafanta cared for my father during a very critical time. Mafanta was not only attentive and professional, but also deeply compassionate and incredibly supportive to both my father and our entire family. Their care went far beyond clinical duties.”
Thomas Long, Charge Nurse, Oncology
Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “Right from the start, Tom’s calm, steadfast, knowledgeable approach, warmth and capability were very apparent. Most importantly, he made us all feel safe, and we could breathe out every time we arrived on the unit knowing we were in the safest of hands.”
Iain Hulbert, Nurse, Renal Medicine
For going above and beyond to help colleagues and patients. Iain is very passionate about his job and goes the extra mile to support the team. He is friendly and approachable.
Amie Sutton, Clinical Scientist, Urology
Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “Amie saw my daughter today. She handled the appointment professionally and expertly with great kindness and care. My daughter was highly anxious about the appointment, but Amie’s care and attitude meant she was able to get through it. It made a difficult experience the best it could have possibly been.”
Dr Callum Postoyalko, Doctor, Acute Medicine and Short Stay
For exceptional dedication, expertise and compassion. Dr Postoyalko’s remarkable ability to manage complex cases swiftly and effectively has significantly improved patient outcomes and streamlined departmental operations.
Gynaecology and Genitourinary Medicine HIV Team
For the team’s compassion, dedication and talent that makes a profound difference in the lives of those they care for. The team works tirelessly and collaboratively, demonstrating exceptional professionalism and empathy every day.
Solihull Hospital
Mary Cappy, Catering Operative, Facilities
For consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication and commitment to her work. Mary is hardworking, always going above and beyond to ensure that every task is completed to the highest standard. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude inspire those around her, creating a motivating and collaborative environment.
Abigail Finnegan, Operating Department Practitioner Team Leader, Theatres
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Abi has utilised her IT skills to make the lives of theatre staff easier by creating easy to access information regarding training and learning opportunities in an easy-to-understand format. Abi always uses her skills and proactive nature to tackle challenges within the department to improve the working day for all theatre staff.”
Community
Jeanette Smith, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist, Solihull Hospital and Community Services
Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “Jeanette looked after my father during his final months at home and at a hospice. She has been absolutely wonderful with her love, support and comfort at such a sad time. Jeanette approached difficult conversations with sensitivity and compassion, and my dad had total confidence in her.”
Rural District Nursing Team, Solihull Hospital and Community Services
For the team’s outstanding contribution to the successful go-live of the Civica scheduling reset project. The team’s unwavering commitment, positivity, and collective strength has directly led to tangible improvements in patient care. They have been engaged, motivated, and truly committed every step of the way.
Corporate
Edward Smith, Clinical Site Manager, Admit and Discharge, Site Team, Heartlands Hospital
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Ed has been a huge support to the Healthcare of Older People wards at Heartlands Hospital. During nights and weekends Ed has been proactively visiting the wards to ensure that the teams feel supported, are able to meet the needs of the cohort of patients and make sure that the care being provided is of a high quality.”
Anna Lewis-Burns, Administrator, Looked After Children, Corporate Nursing, Solihull Hospital and Community Services
For stepping up to take on a wide range of non-clinical responsibilities to ensure that the Looked After Children Team continued to function smoothly, always prioritising the needs of the children we have in our care.
Adrian Sandu, Material Movement Operative, Logistics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Adrian has provided amazing service to the QEHB Dispensary Team and Pharmacy Team by dealing with the on-call requests. Adrian has delivered exceptional service by delivering the products to the departments in a quick and efficient manner.”
Central and South Genomic Nursing and Midwifery Leads, Medical – Genomic Medicine Service Alliance, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
For the team’s kindness to colleagues within the wider team and regional teams. The team offers support and celebrates the successes and hard work of others, which has built trust amongst colleagues. They support wellbeing and openness within the team which contributes to colleagues feeling confident to put forward innovative suggestions for developing new resources and ways of working.
Research and Development
Amy Smith, Portfolio Manager, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics, Research and Development, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
For innovative thinking, kindness and compassion. Amy has developed a new resource hub for the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Team, bringing together and standardising training resources, templates and developing new processes to support team members delivering projects with consistency and coherency.
Women’s and Children’s
Asmaa Boukhtache, Healthcare Assistant, Paediatrics, Heartlands Hospital
For exceptional dedication and tireless work ethic. Asmaa has a deep awareness of patients’ needs and consistently goes above and beyond, delivering exemplary care with genuine empathy and compassion. Her organisational skills and attention to detail ensure that nothing is missed.
Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Team, Good Hope Hospital
Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “Our three-year-old daughter has been a patient at Good Hope Hospital’s paediatric diabetes unit since her diagnosis in 2023. When she was diagnosed, we were terrified, but the team went out of their way to put us at ease and make us feel capable that we could cope. Nearly two years down the line, we feel we have been supported all the way.”
Pick up a copy of October's UHB Connected to see pictures of the winners receiving their prizes.
Last reviewed: 01 October 2025