Published on: 1st October 2024
Today, RCN London announced the winners for its prestigious Rising Star Awards. We are delighted to say three of the winners are RNOH colleagues.
A massive congratulations go to Evangeline Martinez, Queen Adeyanju and Jenne Villapando on their fantastic achievment.
• Evangeline Marti
nez: a former ward sister in the Spinal unit, has moved to a full-time research role. Her dedication to improving patient care is evident in her published rapid review on discharge processes in elective surgery. Evangeline's commitment to empowering ethnic minority colleagues and her involvement in clinical trials, such as a trial aimed at restoring bladder and bowel function in spinal cord injury patients, showcase her exceptional leadership and research skills.
• Queen Adeyanju: a ward sister, has been recognised for her innovative rese
arch on using virtual reality technology to reduce post-operative pain. Her groundbreaking study not only aims to enhance patient comfort but also has the potential to significantly reduce reliance on opiates, leading to substantial cost savings for the NHS. Queen's exemplary work as both a clinical leader and research advocate demonstrates her commitment to advancing patient care.
• Jenne Villapand
o: with 25 years of nursing experience in the UK, is currently working as a Ward-based Discharge Sister. Her compassion and dedication to improving the discharge process have led to increased patient satisfaction and more efficient ward operations. Jenne's proactive approach, including follow-up calls to patients post-discharge, has made a big difference to the ward nursing staff.
Part of RCN London’s celebrations to mark Black History Month 2024, the awards recognise nursing staff from the capital’s Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities who have made an outstanding contribution to the health and care of Londoners.
The winners work across a range of different areas of nursing including in schools, end-of-life care and mental health services. They include local London nursing staff as well as internationally educated nurses who have come to work in the capital’s health and care services.
Congratulating the winners, RCN Regional Director for London, Lisa Elliott, said: “A huge congratulations to all the Rising Star winners. It’s fantastic to see the depth of talent that exists in London’s nursing community, who work across different nursing settings right across the capital. Their innovation, compassionate leadership and commitment to delivering first-class patient care is a clear example of why nursing is the most trusted profession by the public. I am also delighted that the vital contribution of internationally educated nursing staff has been recognised. The skills, expertise and passion they bring is essential, and the capital’s health and care services could not function without them.”