Nurse Manager of the Year
Elly Baker
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Private Patients Unit
"For almost three decades in healthcare, Elly exemplifies dedication to the nursing profession. Her core strength is her compassion and patience. She is focused on everything revolving around patients' care. She comes from a position where she believes happy staff equals happy patients. This is demonstrated with her managerial approach by bringing together and collaborating with her team."
Lisa Clarke
Modality Partnership Walsall
Paul Collins
Unity Care Solutions
"Paul is not only a highly skilled, empathetic Nurse but also an inspirational and nurturing Manager. He is well respected among his team and trusted by his clients and their families. His reputation for providing high-quality care and training means that his growing team of staff feel confident and valued in their roles and that they have an outstanding example to follow. Paul’s ability to adapt and problem-solve ensures that his clients receive the best care possible, even when there are external pressures that pose challenges. Paul’s presence within our company has a positive impact on every facet and his passion and dedication are highly valued by us all."
Christina Guevara
East London Foundation Trust
"Christina Guevara, Deputy Head of Nursing and Lead ACP at East London Foundation Trust Primary Care, exemplifies exceptional leadership and dedication to patient care. Her management has driven significant improvements across surgeries BLMK, enhancing staff development and patient outcomes. Notably, Christina supported the cervical screening initiative that boosted participation through innovative direct booking, earning multiple accolades, including an HSJ award nomination. Her commitment to continuous professional growth, supporting nurses, coupled with her role in developing the women's health clinic and training nurses with LARC, demonstrates her profound impact on both patients and the healthcare team. Christina is a truly deserving candidate for Nurse Manager of the Year."
Katie Hoffman
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
"Matron Katie Hoffman is the lead for a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) serving the preterm and sick newborn neonatal population of the Southwest Peninsula and works collaboratively with the perinatal teams. Katie is a benevolent leader and role model and demonstrates this daily. She leads a MDT of 120 staff and used national guidance and documents creatively to develop a workforce toolkit to support succession planning. This strategy optimised care for babies and families on NICU. Katie supports other Matrons to develop such models of workforce nationally supporting the Neonatal Nurses Association Matrons & Managers Special Interest Group."
Hazel Manzano
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
"Hazel, Matron of the Neonatal Unit at North Middlesex Hospital, exemplifies dedicated leadership that has transformed the NICU. With compassion and a strong commitment to high care standards, she creates a respectful environment through daily check-ins and constructive feedback that empower her team. Her steadfast support for families and her leadership in organizing impactful events have greatly improved both staff and patient experiences. Under her guidance, the department has received prestigious accolades at local and national levels through multidisciplinary initiatives that foster a culture of safety and excellence in care, benefiting her team and the wider organisation."
Florence Grace Parafina
Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust HLCC Group, Outpatient Department
""Florence, like no other managers embodies a deep-seated understanding of a kind, supportive, humane leadership that nurtures, shepherds, and won’t let go of our hands until we reach our core potentials. This goes the same to patients and their families.
Her way of influencing people is magical which results to mindset change, believe/ do what is universally acceptable to humanity. Her strength being a natural leader equipped with authenticity/ sincerity have moved mountains of difficulties and made them into something worth sharing/remembering.
Try to sit & talk to Florence, doubts and worries disappear. I have a first-hand experience on that."
Victoria Power
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
"Since commencing in post Vicki has achieved amazing results:
• Over 200 Internationally Educated Nurses have been recruited and are now all on the NMC register and part of the CHFT family. The team achieved the pastoral care award in 2023.
• Undergraduate practice placements have expanded by 25%. New clinical placements for mental health and learning disability student nurses have been established.
• Trainee Nurse Associate and Registered Nurse Degree apprenticeships numbers have increased and continue to expand as part of the “grow our own” strategy.
• The team have achieved the quality mark for the preceptorship programme.
Vicki’s enthusiasm and passion for education is evidence in everything she does. The reason she is so successful is due to the time she invests in the development of her team. She practices the values of supporting diversity and inclusion daily. She is a compassionate leader who role models the behavioural standards she expects and gives credit to those who deserve it. Vicki truly deserves this award."
Arianne Joy Reyes
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
"A remarkable Nurse Manager is not defined by the number of years in the role but by the profound impact they make in the time they serve. Arianne “AJ” Reyes exemplifies this truth. In just a few short months on Ward 7B, her leadership has breathed new life into the ward. Her innovative management strategies, unwavering commitment to staff development, and empathetic patient care have created a thriving, supportive culture. AJ’s leadership demonstrates that it’s not the length of time in the role that matters, but the passion, dedication, and transformative impact one brings to the position."