Mum is inspiration for nurse's success
Published on 01/11/2024
A nurse, inspired by her mother’s nursing career, has claimed a national leadership award.
Denesha Connolly, a senior sister at Heartlands Hospital, has been named the Compassionate and Inclusive Leader of the Year at the National BAME Health & Care Awards 2024.
Denesha, who has worked at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust since qualifying, said she considers Heartlands Hospital her ‘home’, especially after colleagues saved the life of her mother, in the first COVID-19 outbreak.
Her mum, Millicent Donaldson, is a staff nurse on the Medical Assessment Unit. The judging panel praised Denesha for demonstrating exemplary compassionate and inclusive leadership in creating support and providing mentorship to colleagues.
The judging panel added: “Denesha has fostered a supportive, inclusive environment, increased staff morale, advanced career development, and improved patient care through cultural competency training.
Her efforts have significantly boosted representation in leadership roles and ensured that diversity and inclusion are embedded into the ward's everyday practices, making them a deserving winner in this category."
Denesha said: “To have someone on my team nominate me, and then to be shortlisted by strangers and picked by judges, is an honour and it feels great.
“Nurses are supposed to be caring, compassionate, and just do everything from the heart with love. I'm not doing anything that we're not supposed to be doing, but then it's really great to be recognised.
“I like to see people succeed. I like to push people to be their best. I think sharing knowledge is important. So, if I learn something, I'd like my team to know about it.”
Denesha added: “It's great to work around my mum. All of my personality is her personality. We're very similar and everything that she's taught me or instilled in me, I reflect it in my daily work life, my mum plays a big role in why I'm a nurse.”
