Kind, Connected and Bold Award winners

Good Hope Hospital

Stephanie Clarke, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist - Team Lead, Stroke and Neurology, Therapy Services 

For her approach to patient care and making an active effort to ensure patients feel listened to. Stephanie provides support to those around her and advocates for patients and colleagues, ensuring best practice is consistently upheld. 

Intensive Care Unit  

Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “When my husband was in the Intensive Therapy Unit, Jess was very caring towards my husband and the family throughout our time there. Tracey helped to ensure the family were getting everything we needed, being an emotional support for us when we needed and always popping in to see how we were. Jordan went above and beyond to ensure we were all cared for, keeping us informed of what was happening in a way that was easy for us to take in the information.” 

Joy Watters, Housekeeping Operative, Facilities 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Joy has worked in the Children's Emergency Department for many years. She works really hard, takes her job seriously and ensures the department is always clean and kept to a high standard. Joy takes pride in her work and makes it a nice environment.” 

Heartlands Hospital

Sharon Walker, Administration Manager and Ella Walker, Group Support Administrator, Haematology and Oncology 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Sharon and Ella have been instrumental in the making the new Haematology and Oncology Day Unit a great success. They have both worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help transition the department temporarily onto a new site.” 

Fazia Akhtar, Staff Nurse, Acute Medicine and Short Stay 

Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said “Fazia provided exceptional care to my mum during a very distressing time. Fazia showed remarkable compassion, patience, and professionalism. She took the time to gently explain the procedure, address my mum’s fears, and clearly communicate the risks and importance of treatment.” 

Joanne Cook, Healthcare Assistant, Acute Medicine and Short Stay 

For Joanne’s incredible hard work, professionalism and commitment to high-quality patient care. Her calm approach, dedication, reassurance and kindness towards each patient is outstanding and she consistently maintains a positive attitude and compassionate care. 

Tom Salter, Nurse, Critical Care and Outreach  

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Tom demonstrated exceptional care, compassion, and empathy during a recent medical emergency. During this incident, Tom remained calm, professional, and fully focused on the patient’s needs.” 

Sharon Jobson, Staff Nurse, Diabetes and Endocrinology 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Sharon has been an excellent mentor during time as a student, as well as towards other students she has worked with. She has been incredibly kind towards me, offering me advice and guiding me towards being much more confident.” 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Ward 411, Neurology 

Nominated by a patient, who said: “I was a patient on the ward following my admission to critical care. I would like to nominate the nursing team for all the care I received and how they treated me and other patients with amazing kindness, respect and dignity.” 

Helena Bunce, Clinical Specialist Team Lead in Stroke, Occupational Therapy 

For her compassion and always making time for people who need her. Helena is an excellent communicator and builds strong relationships easily. She is productive in driving the service through business papers, reports, networking and in advocating for the service. 

Phillip Spurrier, Staff Nurse, Cardiology 

Nominated by a student, who said: “Phillip was my practice assessor for my first placement last year. He goes above and beyond to teach students, prioritise their learning and ensure they feel comfortable. Over the four weeks he helped create a supportive and educational environment and he really is a phenomenal practice assessor.” 

Sheryl Diomo, Staff Nurse, Liver Medicine 

For her consistent demonstration of kindness and treating every patient with dignity, empathy and respect. Sheryl takes the time to truly listen, offering reassurance and comfort not only to patients but also to their families and to colleagues.  

Tanya Pankhurst, Consultant Nephrologist, Renal Medicine 

Nominated by a patient, who said: “Prof. Pankhurst deserves to be recognised for her outstanding compassion, dedication, and truly patient-centred care. She is not only an exceptional nephrologist, but also someone who genuinely cares about every aspect of my wellbeing.”

Solihull Hospital

Usha Masih, Sister, Dermatology 

For her exceptional hard work and long-standing service. She has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication, professionalism and a deep commitment to patient care. She offers support to team members, sharing knowledge and helping their professional development. 

 Dermatology Secretarial and Administrative Teams, Solihull Hospital and Good Hope Hospital  

For the team’s care, accuracy and attention to detail, which makes a real difference to patients, helping ensure timely diagnoses. The team support each other by stepping in without being asked, offering support freely and creating a workplace where people feel appreciated and respected. 

 Ward 15, General Surgery 

Nominated by a patient, who said: “The team were amazing. From the second I entered the ward, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming which is exactly what is needed on a very stressful day. The team are clearly a well-oiled machine, but kindness is not lost in their efficiency.”  

Community

Muchaneta Mupanemunda, Senior Complex Discharge Nurse Specialist, Discharge Hubs, Heartlands Hospital, Solihull Hospital and Community Services 

Muchaneta demonstrates genuine compassion and empathy in every interaction. She takes the time to listen to patients, ensuring they feel heard, respected and cared for. Muchaneta supports colleagues, always willing to offer help, encouragement and understanding. 

Corporate

Ashley Elliott, Ward Clerk, Patient Admin Department, Informatics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 

Nominated by a colleague who said: “Ashley has gone above and beyond his role. He spends time speaking with patients and relatives and always brightens everyone’s day. He assists relatives when they arrive on the ward and is interested in how patients are. He welcomes everyone and is always professional.” 

Francesca Lucano, Lead Educator - Professional Development and Education Team, Education

For her extraordinary leadership and consistently going above and beyond, inspiring those around her through her clear communication of vision and her genuine kindness. She creates an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected.  

Jianxia Sun, Statistical Intelligence Analyst, Informatics, Heartlands Hospital 

Nominated by a colleague, who said “Jianxia is amazing. She has supported maternity by producing and continually improving data rich monthly reports. The findings from the reports are used to regularly improve the service for our families. Jianxia is incredibly kind, nothing is ever too much trouble and she is always on hand when we need support.” 

Leah Goodwin, Clinical Compliance Officer, Governance, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “I was attacked by a dog and Leah stopped to help me and accompanied me to the emergency department.” 

Wendy Lamey, Operational Manager, Workforce – Talent, Regent Court and Yardley Court 

For her dedication kindness and care. Wendy is under overwhelming pressure at times but never makes a fuss, her humour keeps the team positive and always confident that she will continue to lead and help the many bank colleagues she looks after. 

Procurement Stores Team, Finance – Warehouse, Good Hope Hospital 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “The team is always going above and beyond to help, and nothing is too much trouble. Every time I have asked for help in getting stock or something that we need and don’t have, they have found it for me.” 

The Information Team, Informatics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “The Information Team supports the Infection Prevention and Control Team daily with contact tracing and notifying patients. They are always willing to help at short notice and support us with notifying patients by text message.”

Research and Development

Bryan Wong, Research Nurse, Research and Innovation, Heartlands Hospital 

For his incredible impact on his team and the patients we care for. Bryan shows kindness in everything he does. He is always there for his colleagues, ready to step in and help without hesitation, no matter how busy he is. He builds strong, trusting relationships with both colleagues and patients, and plays a huge role in creating a supportive and collaborative team culture.  

Women’s and Children’s

Farrah Benson, Midwife, Obstetrics, Good Hope Hospital 

Nominated by a patient, who said: “Farrah provided outstanding care and support during the birth of my son. She offered reassurance and guidance throughout the entire process. Farrah took the time to answer every question that both my partner and I had, ensuring we felt informed and always supported.”  

The Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), Paediatrics, Heartlands Hospital 

Nominated by a patient’s relative, who said: “My daughter was extremely ill, losing weight, being sick and fainting. 

Unfortunately, she went into an adrenaline crisis attack and doctors and nurses in Ward 15 were called in. They saved her life and she was in deep sleep and rushed to the HDU under observation. They saved my daughter’s life.” 

Clinical Support Services

Chemical Pathology Team, Laboratory Medicine, Heartlands Hospital 

For the team’s outstanding progress delivering the service across UHB. The team has achieved their waiting list targets and has contributed to the reduction of patients waiting over 52 weeks to zero. They are dedicated and committed and have worked incredibly hard to produce extraordinary, measurable change. 

Nargas Raza, Specialist Pharmacist- Older People Services, Pharmacy, Heartlands Hospital 

For her hard work and dedication. Nargas’ unwavering effort to maintain a healthy work environment is outstanding. She is never afraid to raise any issues with the team when it comes to safe prescribing and when issues do occur, she always explains the reasoning and guidelines behind it in a kind and non-judgemental manner. 

Jeanette Weedon, CT Bookings Coordinator - Imaging Department, Radiology, Regent and Yardley Court 

Nominated by a colleague, who said: “Jeanette is a booking officer for CT scanning. She has shown remarkable resilience and dedication and has really gone the extra mile to help during a difficult time.”