Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year
Moriam Adekunle
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
"Moriam Adekunle exemplifies the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, consistently demonstrating her commitment to these principles throughout her esteemed career in nursing and healthcare leadership. Her strategic and empowering leadership style has significantly impacted the health and social care workforce, particularly among Global Majority staff. Moriam's pursuit of equity and her innovative talent development initiatives make her an outstanding candidate for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award. Moriam's leadership is both facilitative and empowering, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated. Her efforts have ensured equitable treatment and opportunities for progression, especially for underrepresented backgrounds. She has played a key role in supporting Global Majority staff through initiatives like the Ethnic Minority Network (EMN) and the Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES). Her talent development programmes, LEAP and RISE, have significantly advanced the careers of Global Majority staff, with a notable percentage achieving promotions shortly after completion. These programmes have also improved patient experience and staff satisfaction. Moriam's ability to secure funding for these initiatives highlights her strategic acumen and dedication to sustaining EDI efforts. Moriam has also been a strong advocate for systemic changes in EDI, contributing to the Just Culture framework and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Training. Her efforts have earned her national recognition, including a Special Recognition Award from Zenith Global Health in 2023. Additionally, Moriam is committed to mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders, emphasising resilience, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership. Her personal journey from Nigeria to the UK underscores her resilience and determination, inspiring others facing similar challenges. Overall, Moriam Adekunle’s achievements in championing equality, diversity, and inclusion, along with her innovative programmes and strategic leadership, make her a deserving candidate for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award. Her work has not only advanced the careers of many Global Majority staff but also improved the quality of care within the NHS, leaving a lasting legacy of inclusivity and equity."
Michael Joel Apas
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
"A firm believer of shared humanity and authentic leadership, Michael Joel Apas, is a Clinical Practice Educator for International Nursing in Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, a Regional Ambassador for PNA-UK (Cornwall), and an ambassador of Mary Seacole’s Storyteller’s Program. Carrying his core values, he continues promoting initiatives, and both pastoral and voluntary programs that breaks cultural barriers, promote cultural integration and harmonious coexistence in the local communities. Working alongside different stakeholders, these programs help improve global workforce majority’s experiences and promoted public’s awareness to their contribution in the local communities-bridging the gaps to make a community to One and All!"
Charlotte Collings
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
"Charlotte Collings, has been instrumental in revolutionizing equality, diversity, and inclusion at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. Through her leadership, the hospital became the first in the region to implement policies like equal pay and recognition for internationally educated nurses previous experiences. Charlotte also spearheaded the recruitment of the region’s first specialist hematology nurse from abroad, ensuring they received comprehensive support for success. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace has had a profound impact on staff morale, retention, and patient care, making her a deserving candidate for this award."
Jan-Axle Enabore
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
"Significant strides have been made in supporting staff carers, increasing the number of identified carers from 2 to 118. Key initiatives include developing a simplified self-declaration guide, creating a virtual-interactive guide, and integrating carer identification into recruitment processes. Partnerships with organizations like Carers-in-Herts and Carers-UK have provided staff carers with essential resources and support. Emphasizing the value of carers' unique skills, such as negotiation, time management, and organization, has helped create a more inclusive work environment. These efforts, along with personalized Carer Catch-Up sessions, have also led to a marked improvement in both patient and carer experiences within the organization."
Joan Pons Laplana
NHS England
"Joan Pons Laplana, a nurse with autism, who is on a mission to revolutionise the healthcare system and empower both frontline and patients to lead together. His commitment to driving change in healthcare is commendable. In addition to lobbying national organisations for crucial reforms, Joan spearheads various influential national campaigns that earned him the prestigious 2018 BJN Nurse of the Year Award, amongst other several awards. Patient safety and healthcare professionals’ well-being remain at the core of Joan’s advocacy. He utilises social media and various other platforms to amplify the voices of healthcare workers and to shed light on critical issues plaguing the NHS. Moreover, his work extends beyond the traditional healthcare sphere, as he is a recognised force in promoting diversity and fostering inclusion within the healthcare sector. Joan’s relentless dedication continues to inspire positive change in the healthcare landscape. More Info at www.RoaringNurse.com"
Priscilla Nzounhenda
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
"Priscilla is a compassionate and inspirational nurse leader, widely admired and respected by staff and patients. Originally from Zimbabwe, she is a dedicated advocate for black and minority ethnic staff and co-chair of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s BME employee network. She also leads the organisation of our Black History Month events. Priscilla was a trailblazer in our Reverse Mentoring programme, where BME staff help directors better understand their experiences. She has also championed many successful projects to reduce racism and discrimination, in turn helping to make NSFT a safer, kinder and better place to work and receive care."
Chidinma Victory Oforji
University of Salford
"As a migrant nurse, I have experienced firsthand the impact of institutional and procedural discrimination and unintentional bias. Despite advancements in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, the practicality of EDI policies remains questionable, consequently creating a ‘devalued’ feeling and causing a catastrophic effect on patient care as a lack of practical inclusivity results in nurses not feeling safe enough to speak up to enhance patient care. This has led to my continuous work across clinical projects to promote an intentionally practical diverse and inclusive environment that aims to tackle exclusion from the roots by delving into the richness of diversity of nursing students and staff through innovative co-produced storytelling that practicalizes inclusivity and diversity in our curriculum, practice, and development."
Jaypee James Palis Amada
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
"Jaypee's project, "COLOUR B-LINED: Translating Colours," aimed to improve accessibility for patients with color vision deficiency (CVD) by enhancing hospital signage and guiding systems. Despite initial rejection, Jaypee's determination led to the project being recognized and implemented. The project involved extensive research, collaboration with various teams, and the development of innovative solutions, including the use of numbers and color schemes. The initiative is notable for addressing a significant health inequality, making the hospital more inclusive, and positioning the NHS Trust as a leader in equitable access for CVD patients."
Florence Grace Parafina
Royal Brompton Hospital as part of Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
""Florence is well known for her kind and inclusive leadership through her exemplary way of being open and accepting people. Highly respected for her ability to coach staff in navigating career path, and even their troubled waters. Her visible commitment equipped with humility, cultural intelligence and flexibility around these make Florence different from others. Her strong sense of ability to retain employees for many years is one of her outstanding characteristic that is applaudable and highly admired. As we always say when asked- what makes us stay? Why would we not. She provides structure, values our contribution."