A Bajan ‘role model’ nurse at St George’s has been recognised for supporting international colleagues who are settling into the UK and working life in Tooting.
Juliann has been selected as a Rising Star by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in London as part of their Black History Month 2022 celebrations.
Juliann is also part of the Caribbean Nurses and Midwives Network, having moved to the UK from Barbados in October 2021. The network brings together international nurses and midwives from St George’s to share their experiences, work opportunities and advice for settling into the UK both in and outside the workplace.
Juliann was nominated by Marlene Johnson, Head of Nursing for Renal, Haematology and Oncology and Palliative Care.
Marlene said: “Juliann is an exemplary role model to others and her infectious smile lights up her patients faces.
“She is an ambassador for our internationally recruited nurses all while embracing the cultural diversities of a new country”.
Juliann said: “I was so surprised when I found out I got the award, I cried. I love nursing and can’t see myself doing anything else”.
Arlene Wellman is Chief Nurse for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospital and Health Group and is also one of the UK’s most senior internationally trained nurses. Arlene said:
“Juliann’s contributions at St George’s are truly outstanding, I hope her success inspires nurses working in our hospital group, but also international nurses that may be considering joining the NHS.”
St George’s is celebrating cultural diversity throughout Black History Month by hosting a range of events including a ‘Combating Racism’ seminar, an ‘Ally Movie Night’ and inviting a former patient in to talk about their cancer journey, recognising it is more of a taboo subject in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Juilann is an advocate for Black History Month and shared why it is so important to her that we recognise it: “Looking back, I realise how far we’ve come, but we had to fight for it and lost many times before we won along the way.
“It makes me proud to see colleagues in positions that historically they may not have been able to reach”.
Mark Farmer, Interim Regional Director of RCN London said: “On behalf of everyone at RCN London region, congratulations on being a Black History Month Rising Star winner for 2022.
“The RCN, nursing and London will benefit tremendously from your commitment to better patient care. Thank you for everything you’re doing”.
Natilla Henry, Site Chief Nurse at St George’s, met with Juliann to share her congratulations: “I’m so pleased for Juliann and that her experience at St George’s has been so positive, we strive for this for all our staff.
“It’s great that Juliann is now helping other international nurses feel supported at St George’s. We hope they feel empowered to go for opportunities and progress in their careers”.
