Published on: 1st December 2015
Two healthcare leaders have made it through to the East Midlands heat of this year’s NHS Recognition Awards.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LPFT) Zoë Rowe and Mark Kowalski have both been shortlisted and will qualify for the national final if they win their respective categories.
Zoë, the Trust’s Interim Director of Nursing and Quality has been shortlisted in the Leader of Inclusivity of the Year category, with Mark recognised in the Mentor/Coach of the Year section.
Already a high profile champion of equality and diversity in the workplace, Zoë was named as Stonewall’s Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual East Midlands Role Model of the Year back in the summer.
She said it was a privilege to have been nominated for this new award.
People perform better when they can be themselves whether they are staff, patients or carers, and feeling safe and supported to be open about sexual orientation and gender identity undoubtedly supports better outcomes. I believe, with all aspects of equality and diversity, it is important that we work and care in inclusive environments where discrimination is challenged and where diversity is valued. I work with so many likeminded, courageous individuals and believe it is possible to have a positive impact on practice.
Mark, a Qualified Practitioner who works in the Trust’s learning disability service, has worked with student nurses on placement for the past 12 years, helping to coach and mentor them as they progress through their training with the Trust.
He said that continuing to invest time in supporting student nurses is crucial for the future quality of services.
It was a nice surprise to be nominated. I have used my knowledge of working as a nurse for LPFT for over 15 years to provide advice and emotional support to colleagues. I believe that coaching and offering support, on work and non-work related matters is very important. This ultimately in turn, lends itself to high quality services for patients and their carers.
Close to 100 nominations were received for the East Midlands heat of the awards, and both Zoë and Mark will attend a ceremony on December 3rd to find out if they’ve been successful.
The process has been replicated across nine other NHS regions, involving nine categories, with all winners automatically qualifying for the national final in London early next year.