NHS staff who have changed patients’ lives across Tees Valley and North Yorkshire have been honoured at their trust’s first awards ceremony.
The University Hospitals Tees (UHT) Caring Better Together Awards honoured healthcare workers from hospitals and community services across Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
Winners and nominees were recognised across 15 categories, including clinical excellence, leadership, compassion and innovation.
Chief nursing officer Emma Nunez, left, presents an inspirational clinical leader award to consultant plastic surgeon Anna Barnard (Image: Supplied)
Stacey Hunter, chief executive of UHT, said: "A huge thank you to each and every one of you for everything you have done over the last year.
"Whether you have been nominated or not, we simply could not do what we do without the people in our teams.
"This is a heartfelt thank you from all of us.
"We are incredibly grateful to have you with us, as your support enables us to continue delivering our services.
Chief executive Stacey Hunter, right, presents consultant therapist Kirsty Jones with chief executive award (Image: Supplied)
"We know that the roles you carry out often require you to go above and beyond, working longer than we should because we are committed to doing all we can for our patients.
"That’s a sacrifice not only for you but for your families too, so this is a thank you to everyone involved, we truly appreciate everyone involved."
The ceremony took place at Teesside University’s Digital Life Centre and opened with a performance by the Tees Music Alliance Guitar Choir.
Caring Better Together awards is opened (Image: Supplied)
Surgeon Jonathan Ferguson, UHT’s clinical lead for lung cancer screening, officially opened the event.
Consultant plastic surgeon Anna Barnard won the inspirational clinical leader award.
Consultant therapist Kirsty Jones also received a special award for her work described as “breaking through barriers paving the way for a workforce of the future that will mean better opportunities staff and experience for patients”.
South Tees Hospitals’ COPD team won the clinical excellence award, while Ward 27 at The James Cook University Hospital took the patient choice prize.
The alcohol care and substance team at the University Hospital of North Tees won team of the year.
Paul Ballard, a consultant gynaecologist at The James Cook University Hospital, won the lifetime achievement award.
Laura Pierre, a district nursing sister at South Tees Hospitals, won the rising star award.
Dawn Jones, a clinical care coordinator at the University Hospital of North Tees, won the behind-the-scenes award.
The Hambleton and Richmondshire urgent community response team won the service transformation award.
Carol Grainger, a volunteer at the University Hospital of North Tees, won the volunteer award.
Professor Derek Bell, chair of University Hospitals Tees, said: "Events like this are so important in celebrating everyone working for patients across our clinical, support and volunteering teams.
"It’s important we take this time to appreciate what all of you are doing for the people we serve across our communities."
The event was supported by Driver Project Services, Geoffrey Robinson, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Teesside University.
Aethele Khunda, a consultant gynaecologist and clinical director of gynaecology services, won the leadership and culture award.
Shiva Sathanandam, a consultant in acute medicine at The James Cook University Hospital, won the compassion and respect award.
Bernadette Millward, a specialist therapy assistant in physiotherapy, was named the “heart and soul of UHT”.
Consultant neonatologist Charlotte Ashton and clinical technologist Tony Alton, both at The James Cook University Hospital, won the innovation and research award.
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Runners-up included consultant gastroenterologist Chris Wells, foot and ankle specialist practitioner Lindsey Sorlie and senior audiologist Peter Craggy.
The breast unit at the University Hospital of North Tees was runner-up for team of the year, while volunteers Elaine Ashwell and Janet Gordon were also honoured.