Evelina London celebrates exceptional nurses and midwives

Nurses, midwives and maternity support workers who have gone above and beyond for their patients and colleagues over the last year have been recognised in our annual Trust awards.

Congratulations to the Evelina London winners: Maria Horta, Edna Ruedas, Aleksandra Williams, Samantha Gainfort, Desiree Dancel and Hannah Wilberforce.

Gubby Ayida, Evelina London's Chief Executive, said: "I am so proud of the incredible hard work of our nurses, midwives and maternity support workers. All of the award nominees and winners are outstanding, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their commitment to providing truly exceptional care to our patients and their families. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to them for everything that they do."

Maria Horta won Nursing Associate of the Year. Working in the Evelina London outpatients' department, she was nominated by her colleagues for her dedication to patient care and collaborative spirit. They highlighted how she ensures everyone feels respected and included, prioritising patients' needs and supporting her team with compassion and empathy.

Edna Ruedas was awarded Maternity Support Worker of the Year. Colleagues spotlighted her remarkable commitment to patient care and how she consistently goes above and beyond to protect the wellbeing of parents and their newborns staying on the postnatal ward. She is known for her incredible kindness and compassion and always being willing to lend a hand, no matter how busy she is.

Aleksandra Williams, a nurse working on the paediatric intensive care unit, received the Research Engagement Award. When nominating her, colleagues underlined her commitment and enthusiasm as principal investigator of the GASTRIC research study. She won the award for her passion for evidence-based practice, commitment to colleagues, and ability to integrate research into clinical care.

Samantha Gainfort was named Evelina London Children's Nurse of the Year. She works in our ear, nose and throat service, supporting children and young people who have had a tracheostomy. Her colleagues nominated her for her dedication to patient safety and quality of life. They emphasised how she tirelessly advocates for families, and works with them and her colleagues to make the best decisions for their care.

Desiree Dancel won Matron of the Year. She was nominated for transforming the gynaecology ward (which won a silver ward accreditation in 2024), reducing vacancy rates, and improving patient satisfaction. Colleagues said she is known for her operational and personal insights and managing her team effectively with honesty and compassion.

Hannah Wilberforce won Midwife of the Year. She is a specialist bereavement midwife, supporting families who are tragically experiencing pregnancy or baby loss. Her team highlighted her dedication and expertise which earns consistent praise from families and colleagues. They stated that she is a true advocate for patient-centred care, committed to helping families navigate heart-breaking loss with compassion and kindness.

Now in its 9th year, the awards received 870 nominations across 26 categories.

A huge congratulations to all of the Nursing and Midwifery Awards winners.