Outstanding nursing and midwifery staff celebrated
Friday 15 May 2026
Professor Avey Bhatia, Paige Mitchell and Karen Bonner
Nursing and midwifery staff who have gone above and beyond for their patients and colleagues over the last year have been recognised at Guy’s and St Thomas’.
Now in its 11th year, the Trust’s annual Nursing and Midwifery Awards received more than 700 nominations across 26 categories.
Chief Nurse Professor Avey Bhatia hosted the awards ceremony, with speakers and presenters including Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for NHS England, Karen Bonner, Regional Chief Nurse, and Felicia Kwaku, Chair of the Mary Seacole Trust.
Paige Mitchell, a sister from the chemotherapy day unit in the Cancer Centre at Guy’s, was presented with the Patients’ Choice Award.
Paige, who was inspired to become an even better nurse after caring for her nan, said: “There truly are not enough words for the people I work alongside every day. The compassion, humour, strength and love within that team is something really special. We walk beside people through some of the darkest moments of their lives, yet somehow our patients are still the ones thanking us. It is the greatest privilege I will ever have.”
Matron of the Year went to Sara Collingridge who works in the surgery team at Harefield Hospital. Fair, consistent, and deeply professional, Sara works tirelessly to ensure the highest standards of care, always placing patients at the heart of every decision.
Alice Bradley was named Evelina London Midwife of the Year. She was recognised for playing a pivotal role in shaping a new Transitional Care Unit that prioritises keeping mothers and babies together and reducing unnecessary separation from neonatal care.
Community Nurse of the Year went to Rehema Hussain for her unwavering dedication to safeguarding, working tirelessly to ensure that children are protected, heard, and advocated for, always keeping their best interests at the centre of practice.
Professor Avey Bhatia, Chief Nurse for Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Each nomination tells a story of care, leadership, innovation, teamwork, and commitment that truly reflects the very best of nursing and midwifery across our Trust.
“Our profession has a rich history at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and we’re incredibly proud of our colleagues for the care, expertise and compassion they bring to patients and teams every day.”
Community Nurse of the Year, Rehema Hussain
The award-winning nursing and midwifery staff for 2026.
|
Category |
Winner |
|
Trust Nurse or Midwife of the Year |
Emily Van Hagen |
|
Practice Development Nurse or Midwife / Clinical Educator of the Year |
Keannu Arnoco |
|
Dental Nurse of the Year |
Emma Kay |
|
Community Nurse / Midwife of the Year |
Rehema Hussain |
|
Research Engagement Award |
Daryl Urmeneta |
|
Consultant Nurse or Midwife of the Year |
Siobhan Pender |
|
Research Nurse or Midwife of the Year |
Daisy Hubble |
|
Maternity Support Worker of the Year |
Monica Lawson |
|
Patients’ Choice Award |
Paige Mitchell |
|
Student Nurse, Midwife, or Nursing Associate Trainee / Dental Nurse Apprenticeship of the Year |
Elizabeth Daisi |
|
Nursing Assistant / Community Rehabilitation or Community Support Worker of the Year |
Daniela Merlin |
|
Nursing Associate of the Year |
Osamokunwa Iyamu-Ekiro |
|
Specialist Nurse of the Year |
Dr Hemangi Chavan |
|
Kofoworola Abeni Pratt Inclusion Award |
Prostate Clinical Nurse Specialist team |
|
Nurse / Midwife Researcher of the Year |
Lily Benton |
|
Senior Leadership Award |
Isabelle Manning |
|
Evelina London Children’s Nurse of the Year |
Chinonyelum Wilson |
|
Evelina London Midwife of the Year |
Alice Bradley |
|
Integrated and Specialist Medicine Nurse of the Year |
Suzanne Hill |
|
Cancer and Surgery Nurse of the Year (Joint Winners) |
Freya Whitehead and Rebecca Schieren |
|
Heart, Lung and Critical Care Nurse of the Year |
Linda Green |
|
Sister, Midwife, or Charge Nurse of the Year |
Irvin Misador |
|
Matron of the Year |
Sara Collingridge |
|
Rising Star of the Year |
Soliat Hamzat |
|
Team of the Year |
Chemotherapy Day Unit |
|
Nightingale Fellowship Award |
Joan Barbara Novio |
|
Chief Nurse’s Award |
Mala Karasu |
Last updated: May 2026
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