Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust proudly hosted its first-ever Healthcare Hero Awards, recognising and celebrating the extraordinary individuals and teams who go above and beyond every day to deliver exceptional care and support across the Trust.
Sponsored by a number of local organisations, the event coincided with the 77th anniversary of the NHS, and the awards ceremony took place at the Leonardo Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.
More than 500 nominations
The event received over 500 nominations from staff, patients, families, and members of the public.
Following a rigorous judging process, 120 finalists were invited to attend the evening of recognition and celebration.
Honouring the people who bring the organisation to life
Neil Hayward, Trust Chair, said,
“At the heart of every great organisation are the people who bring it to life.
“This evening is about you – the people who help us deliver outstanding care, support colleagues to thrive and help build stronger communities.”
The awards are part of how the Trust recognises the contribution and dedication of staff who make a difference every day – whether on the ward or in clinics, in the office, in inpatient services, or out in the community.
Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence
The evening also served as a powerful reminder of the Trust’s CARE values – Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence – which guide how staff work, support one another and care for patients.
These values are not just part of a strategy; they are lived every day through actions, relationships and culture.
2025 Healthcare Hero Award Winners
- Annual CARE Award – Shane Innes, Team Lead and Senior Occupational Therapist (Isle of Wight)
- Respect and Compassion Award – Jodi Bennett, Clinical Team Leader
- Accountability and Excellence Award – Andreea Golovatii, Senior Mental Health Practitioner
- Leading with Care Award – Louise Smith, Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist
- Patient Safety Award – Hazel Ward, Parklands
- Improving Wellbeing and Culture Award – Lauren Anderson, Lived Experience and Network Partner
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Trish Phillips, Area Matron for Specialist Teams
- Rising Star Award – Shanaya Jones, Apprentice Dental Nurse
- Corporate/Support Colleague of the Year – Sarah-Jayne Cuthbertson, Admin Team Coordinator
- Patient Choice Award – Sam Geldard, Senior Occupational Therapist/Mental Health Care Coordinator
- Unsung Hero Award – Vanessa Appleton, Hampshire CAMHS Programme Manager
- Team of the Year Award – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Team, Mid and North Hampshire
Ron Shields, Chief Executive, expressed his pride. He said,
“Every nomination is a reflection of the compassion, enthusiasm and commitment our staff provide to the people they support every day.
“I really am honoured to lead an organisation with such caring, talented and innovative people who are committed to delivering the very best possible care for the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“It goes without saying that I am immensely proud of each and every one of them.”
Generous sponsors
The evening was made possible thanks to the generous support of event sponsors. The Trust extends its sincere gratitude to Platinum Sponsors Medirest and Building Integrated Services, as well as Gold Sponsors Bidfood and NHS Professionals (NHSP).
Silver Sponsors Brighterway and Diguru also played a vital role in supporting the event, with Diguru providing printing services. Special thanks are also given to Red Funnel for their contribution to travel support. Their collective generosity helped ensure a memorable celebration of the Trust’s dedicated staff and teams.
To read the full list of nominations and learn more about the winners, please visit the Trust’s website.
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, in their own words. Ed
