The Star Awards, held this year on 2 November at the Doncaster Dome, is an annual event where healthcare professionals in a diverse range of roles and specialisms at DBTH come together to receive recognition for their achievements and notable contributions.
The nominees, put forward by their colleagues, are recognised for showing excellence and exceptional commitment, dedication or innovation in their duties.
The ‘Inclusion Champion’ award is bestowed to individuals and teams who have demonstrated a commitment to welcoming everyone at DBTH and celebrating the Trust’s diverse community. This year the award was presented to Jeena Joseph, Clinical Educator within the Trust’s Education Department, for taking additional steps to support the internationally educated nursing community within the organisation.
As a notable champion for inclusion, Jeena has been recognised by her colleagues as an outstanding member of the Education Team, creating a supportive environment for internationally educated nurses at DBTH to progress in their professional development and thrive both within and outside the hospital community.
Over the past year, Jeena’s efforts have gone beyond the call of duty, not only excelling in her professional role but also being a pillar of support whilst helping her peers, who have come from overseas, settle into the UK and feel at home.
Originally hailing from Kerala, India, Jeena joined DBTH as a healthcare assistant with a dream to work in the UK. Her journey to becoming a UK registrant has been both inspiring and commendable, undertaking rigorous training, passing her Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), and successfully transitioning to a Staff Nurse role in the Emergency Department at Bassetlaw.
Jeena’s commitment to her own education did not stop there; she pursued further studies through a degree top-up course to stay up to date with UK nursing knowledge. It was during this time she volunteered to support training, aiding fellow internationally educated nurses with gaining their qualifications. Demonstrating dedication to guiding her colleagues professionally and offering pastoral support to aid assimilation into the UK in her own time, it was not long before she joined the Education Team in a substantive post – all within a year of completing her OSCEs.
Jeena’s remarkable achievements, however, also extend beyond her professional accomplishments. Outside of her day to day duties, she helps her peers find places of worship, arranges cultural events, and provides personal support to ensure their smooth transition into the community. This includes finding suitable accommodation for them and their families and helping them settle into the local area. Jeena has even been able to source one group in particular a religious ceremony in their own language – a gesture that meant so much to so many new colleagues.
Jeena’s husband has also become an integral part of this support network, acting as a handyman, helping with house moves, and ensuring the well-being of many of the nurses until their families can join them in the UK.
In addition to her compassionate support outside the workplace, Jeena has continued to play a vital role in the international nurse training bootcamp, offering expert guidance, sharing traditional food in the lunchtime breaks and engaging in conversations with them in their own language.
Speaking after the award’s ceremony, Zoe Lintin, Chief People Officer at DBTH, said: “I want to share my congratulations and thanks with Jeena on her incredible dedication to supporting her colleagues. This award duly recognises Jeena’s commitment, dedication and kindness in her role and ensure all members of our internationally educated nursing community feel welcomed and supported. Thank you for all that you do, you are a credit to DBTH.”
Hosted by Radio Heart DJ David ‘Dixie’ Dixon at the Doncaster Dome, over 500 staff members attended the evening to hear the inspiring stories of the fantastic nominees and winners.
In reflecting on a memorable evening, the Trust looks forward to celebrating more hospital heroes next year.