Manager of the Home from Home Unit based at the Ulster Hospital Maternity Unit, Sr Katherine Robinson was honoured as the first ever recipient of the Hazel McCalister Exceptional Midwife Award, at a ceremony held to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife on Thursday 5 May 2022.
The Royal College of Midwives South Eastern HSC Trust Branch launched this award in February 2022 after Hazel’s family presented them with the award in her memory.
Head of Midwifery, Valerie Porter emphasized the significance of the award by explaining, “This award, donated by Hazel’s family is a fitting tribute to her memory, it is extra special as it acknowledges an unsung Midwife who makes a difference on a daily basis and who is nominated and acknowledged by her colleagues.”
Winner of the award, Sr Katherine Robinson was overwhelmed to receive this honour and expressed her joy by saying, “I am delighted to be the first Midwife to receive the Hazel McCalister Exceptional Midwife Award.
“For the last thirty years it has been both a pleasure and a privilege to be a Midwife caring for the many wonderful women and their families who choose to use the South Eastern HSC Trust Maternity Service.
“Hazel was passionate about the RCM and providing support for her Midwifery Colleagues. All of the nominees for Hazels Award, which has been provided by her family as Hazel’s legacy, are winners in my eyes; they have all been nominated by their colleagues for going the extra mile and acting as positive role models.”
Director of Primary Care, Older People & Executive Director of Nursing Nicki Patterson was delighted to be part of the celebrations with the Midwifery staff and added, “Midwives in the South Eastern HSC Trust are part of a wider Midwifery family across NI, nationally and indeed globally.
“The International Day of the Midwife is a great opportunity to celebrate all of the fabulous work that Midwives do. They are a dedicated and responsive workforce who support and empower women across their maternity journey. They put women and families at the centre of what they do and they are with women at such a milestone event in their lives. Their work in supporting women and families is important in society and is an investment in our future.
“It was a pleasure to share in the celebration events across the Trust to mark the day and to join colleagues as the Hazel McCalister Exceptional Midwife Award was presented to the winner Sr Katherine Robinson by Hazel’s husband John.”
