News
Nurse of the Year revealed at annual conference
Colleagues came together from near and far, representing all nursing disciplines, to celebrate at our 22nd annual Nursing Conference on Friday 12 June.
Centred on the theme ‘empowering nurse innovation’ the event was a great success. The day celebrated the creativity, leadership and practical improvement work taking place across our services, and focused on innovation, leadership and professional pride.
The keynote contribution from Karen Bonner, Chief Nursing Officer for London, offered a wider regional perspective on nursing leadership, professional pride and innovations to shape nursing now and in the future.
It culminated in a celebration of excellence with the announcement of our Nurse and Healthcare Support Worker of the Year 2026 as well as other awards in recognition and celebration of outstanding work in a number of nursing roles.
Huge congratulations to Genevieve Owusu-Agyeman (below left), from our Young Person’s Team within CASH services in Bexley, who was named Nurse of the Year, and to Mary Albina (below right), Healthcare Support Worker of the Year, who works in our Learning Disability Intensive Community Support Team.
Congratulations also to Mariama Kpaka, Nursing Associate of the Year and Adelaide Abaidoo, Practice Assessor/Supervisor of the Year.
Student Placement of the Year went to the Advanced Dementia Service Team and the Cardiac Rehab Team were named Team of the Year.
Our runners up were Nurse of the Year, Holly Sharron, Health Care Support Worker of the Year, Amy Gleeson, Nursing Associate of the Year, Reena Dhaligadoo and Practice Assessor/Supervisor of the Year, Justina Aniekwe.
Jane Wells, Chief Nursing Officer, said:
I am so proud every day of our wonderful nursing workforce. The conference this year was a strong demonstration of the expertise, compassion and ambition you all bring, reinforcing your pride at being an Oxleas nurse and the vital role you play in transforming care for our people and communities.
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