Mandy Kerr, Senior Clinical Manager for NHS England EOE, has won a Cavell Star Award after 45 years of service to midwifery!
Her colleague Debbie, who nominated Mandy, said “Her career stands as a powerful testament to compassionate leadership, innovation in practice, and unwavering commitment to women, babies and colleagues.”
For the past four years, Mandy worked with NHS England (East of England), where she led the Return to Practice Programme for the region. Through her leadership and support, she helped 200 colleagues return safely and confidently to practice, which Debbie said is “an outstanding and phenomenal achievement that has made a tangible impact on workforce sustainability and patient care.”
Upon being presented with the award, Mandy said, “I was completely taken aback. I’d seen other team members receive awards, and while absolutely delighted for them, it never occurred to me to me that I would be nominated for one. I felt very humbled that someone had taken the time to put the nomination together. I was so happy and a little bit emotional.”
Debbie added, “Mandy is someone colleagues instinctively turn to for support, reassurance and extremely wise counsel, particularly in challenging or complex situations.”
Mandy is soon to be heading into retirement, but she feels inspired by the future of the profession: “I’m encouraged by the advances in healthcare, the continued focus on compassionate, person-centered care and the commitment to lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.”
“I have great confidence in today’s nursing and midwifery students. They will play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare, while preserving the values that lie at the heart of the profession.”
Debbie said, “Mandy’s legacy will be felt long after her retirement, through the many professionals she has supported, inspired and helped to grow. She is profoundly deserving of this recognition and celebration.”
With a personal philosophy to treat everyone with the same kindness, compassion and respect that she would want her loved ones to receive, Mandy believes nursing and midwifery has been more than just a career, stating that it’s given her life purpose. She said, “caring for others is about being there for people at some of the most difficult times of their lives, but also at some of the most joyful. Knowing that I can make even a small difference to someone’s experience is very rewarding.”
“I would like to thank Debbie for the nomination and all the hard work that went into it. And thank you to my colleagues for your commitment to improving the future of nursing and midwifery.”