Four students and a member of staff from the University of Worcester have all been shortlisted for prestigious honours in the latest Student Nursing Times Awards.
The awards are widely regarded as one of the highest accolades available to student nurses, educators and training providers in the UK.
They honour student nurses and midwives, and the programmes and people committed to providing outstanding education opportunities.
Those shortlisted are:
Abit Madukkakkuzhy George, a third-year Nursing student who is the running for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs Award,
Sarah Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Nursing, is shortlisted for the University Educator of the Year award.
Three of the University’s Nursing Associates were also nominated for the Student Nursing Associate of the Year Award;
Chloe Cadwallader
Danny Coleman
Eva Savage
Abit Madukkakkuzhy George was shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs Award for his commitment to the student experience, supporting his peers, and contributing to the University and the wider community.
“I woke up to an email to tell me I’d been shortlisted,” said Abit. “It blew my mind. I thought of my mother back home in India and it made me very emotional; she’s a senior nurse at a hospital and she was very proud to hear about it.”
Since arriving in the UK in 2023, Abit has been at the centre of life at the University, advocating for others and creating new opportunities for his fellow students.
“When I joined the University, I didn’t know anyone,” he said. “I improved my communication and language skills, and I started getting involved with student affairs, joining networks, making connections, and taking on different roles around the University.”
Abit has also worked hard to support the wider Worcester community outside the University.
He said: “I’ve done a lot of voluntary work with the City Council, at the Commandery Museum, and with Severn Arts; I recently received a certificate from the Mayor of Worcester for my contribution to the community.”
Sarah Hughes was shortlisted for the University Educator of the Year Award for her work on the way nurses learn.
Sarah leads the Year Two Practice and Simulation Module for the Pre-registration Nursing course. The shortlisting recognises her extensive work to re-imagine the way the module’s curriculum has been taught this year, using feedback from students and those in health settings who oversee them on placement.
“I’m grateful, but I am a bit overwhelmed because I don’t feel like any of the success that I’ve had is solely down to me,” she said. “I’ve had massive encouragement and support from colleagues, the wider community, and of course the inspiration that we get from the students to make the changes, so I think the recognition reflects the great teamwork, the dedication, and the shared commitment within the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery; it’s a team effort.”
Sarah devised ward simulations, where students work on a ward-style setting for a number of hours with a combination of mannequins and actors as patients. She organised a treasure hunt-style practical around campus, where students attend and assess written ‘cases’, moving around campus and prioritising ‘patients’, to re-enact community nursing.
Sarah also ran a virtual simulation online set in a prison (using NHS England resources). She has strengthened the link-up between the Year Two theory and practical sessions and changed the module’s assessment to a practical rather than an exam based module. Sarah said feedback from students and staff had been really positive so far.
Eva Savage was shortlisted in the Student Nursing Associate Trainee of the Year category for her inspiring leadership of a transformative project to create a vibrant and therapeutic outdoor space that enhances wellbeing, supports recovery, and offers a calming, nature-connected environment for patients, staff and visitors.
She has been working at Ross Community Hospital for three and a half years, and spent the last two years studying to progress her career.
“I noticed there was scope for improvement in the gardens,” she said. “I saw how much of an impact nice outdoor spaces had on patients when I was at other healthcare providers on placements, so I took the idea to the board and they approved it.”
Eva added: “There are a lot of processes you have to go through for a big project like this, but I’m really pleased to see that they’ve cleared the land and they’re starting work on the garden now.”
Of her career in healthcare, Eva said: “I find real fulfilment in it. I’ve always believed that kindness has a ripple effect and knowing that I’ve contributed to someone’s happiness makes me happy, and it’s this passion that continues to inspire the nurse I am becoming every day.”
Speaking about her shortlisting, she said: “I’m really happy to be nominated. I genuinely enjoy caring for people and bringing joy into people’s lives and it’s nice that it has been recognised. I’ve finished studying now, and I’m just waiting for all of my results now. I’ve really enjoyed the course, and the lecturers have all been so helpful.”
Danny Coleman is also shortlisted for the Student Nursing Associate Trainee of the Year Award. He was nominated for his exceptional personal and professional growth, demonstrating remarkable courage in embracing new challenges, a strong enthusiasm for learning, outstanding professionalism and unwavering dedication that reflects the high standards he sets for himself.
“I’m so happy, and I’m really proud of myself,” he said. “I’ve got such a great support network around me; my husband is amazing, my colleagues are wonderful, and the team at the University have been fantastic.”
Danny has been working at Tenbury Wells GP Surgery, where he first started as a healthcare assistant before enrolling on the course at the University of Worcester to become a Nursing Associate.
“I’ve had placements in mental health settings, ophthalmology, trauma and orthopaedics, and I’ve done so much. The course has really allowed me to broaden my knowledge and see so many areas of the health service.”
Speaking on his career ambitions, Danny said: “Long term, I’d love to go into tissue viability, which is where I’d be supporting patients who’ve got more complex wounds; I’m keen to progress my career and go as far as I can.”
“The surgery here in Tenbury is just a fantastic place to work,” he continued. “I love helping the patients in my community, I always see them when I’m on my runs around town and they always wave when they see me.”
Danny added: “The last thing my mum said before she passed was ‘Danny, do what makes you happy’, and doing this course, and this job, and the progression, makes me really happy.”
Chloe Cadwallader is also a finalist for Student Nursing Associate Trainee of the Year, and was nominated for demonstrating exceptional resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in the face of significant workplace issues.
She has maintained professionalism, calm focus, and a positive attitude that enabled her to uphold high standards and support others.
“I didn’t think university was for me,” said Chloe, who has worked at Worcester City Inpatient unit for the last 8 years. “My manager encouraged me to give it a go and I did, and look at me now! None of it feels real, and I don’t think it will set in for me until I’m registered as a Nursing Associate.”
Chloe said: “The course at Worcester has been so good. I’ve made some brilliant friends who I’ll be staying in touch with, and the lecturers have always been amazing; they’re so supportive and professional. I’ve learned to much that I sometimes see the way I’m writing my reports and I stop and think ‘did I just write that?’”.
Now, Chloe is looking to the future. “I’m not sure where my career will go; I love to be somewhere that is very busy, so I’d quite like to explore a future in an area like accident and emergency, or perhaps in mental health provision.”
Professor Sally Moyle, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Worcester said: “We are incredibly proud of all of our shortlisted students and colleague for being recognised on the national stage.”
She continued: “These nominations reflect the very best of Worcester; a university where talented, compassionate students thrive, and where our exceptional staff go above and beyond to support and inspire them. Each of our nominees has made a meaningful impact not only within our campus community, but also across the region, contributing to high-quality healthcare and support where it is most needed.”
She added: “Their success in being shortlisted is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people in our region. We are delighted to see their efforts recognised in this way.”