Carolyn Wood has been honoured for her professionalism and dedication within the Island’s healthcare service in being named the recipient of the 2017 Dr Mary Partington Award.
The Ward 9 Sister, who is known as Caz, is the latest holder of the award which aims to recognise the contribution made by a healthcare professional towards the improvement of care for patients or their relatives, or who has improved staff working conditions.
Established in the early 1990s, the award is presented in memory of Dr Mary Partington, wife of former Chief Pathologist Dr Cyril Partington, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday.
The selection process requires Senior Sisters from each Ward to make recommendations to the Head of Nursing and the Clinical Director for Medical Division Cathie Quine and Dr John Thomas respectively who select a winner.
Carolyn attracted the judges’ attention due to her ability to work to the highest standards of care with maturity, calmness and empathy alongside her hard work, dedication and commitment to the staff and patients on Ward 9.
Carolyn said:
‘I find nursing to be challenging, both physically and emotionally, but wouldn’t change it for anything. The most important part of the job to me is making a difference to patients and their relatives.
‘As a child I spent time as a patient in a children’s ward and admired what a wonderful job the nurses were doing, and I thought that’s what I want to do be a nurse.
‘I started nurse training in 1989 at the age of 18, and once qualified worked on a surgical ward but realised quite early on my heart was in medical nursing. I worked as a bank nurse before being given a permanent post on ward 9 in 1994, and I’ve been here since.
‘I love the variety of nursing you never know what the day may bring.’
She added:
‘I would like to thank my family for their support, encouragement and understanding, and my colleagues for their support and having faith in me.’
The runners up were: Sophie Crowley-Hardy, Sister on Coronary Care Unit; Karen Davies, Healthcare Assistant on Ward 5; Jean Macleod, Healthcare Assistant on the Acute Medical Unit; Gincy Thomas, Healthcare Assistant on Ward 8; and Vicky Cilocilo, Healthcare Assistant on Ward 7.
