Lecturers win national awards celebrating diversity in health and care
Two members of healthcare staff at Oxford Brookes University have won national awards for their outstanding contribution and dedication to health and social care.
The National BAME Health and Care Awards, which highlight the importance of recognising BAME talent and innovation in the sector, took place across a series of virtual ceremonies over the last month.
Anti-racist approaches in education
Senior Lecturer in Social Work Jody Bell won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Care, for her work in promoting anti-racist approaches in social work education and her ability to engage with students and faculty colleagues in decolonising the course curriculum.
Jody said: “As a social work lecturer I feel there is a real opportunity to raise awareness and question inequalities. We’re now living in a society where people are listening more but I hope that one day, there will be no need for awards to celebrate diversity specifically, because it will hopefully be the norm.
“It’s an honour to have won this award.”
Excellence as a nurse, supporting colleagues and the community
Associate Lecturer Ariel Lanada, who is also Divisional Educational Lead for the Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Trauma, Specialist Surgery, Children's and Neonates Division of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was named joint-winner of the BAME Nurse of the Year award.
Ariel has been recognised for demonstrating excellence as a clinical leader and a nurse, and for his work supporting colleagues and the Filipino community throughout the pandemic.
Ariel said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be able to support my colleagues and the Filipino community.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, and the teamwork demonstrated both in our hospitals and across the community has been wonderful to see. It has never been more important to support each other, and be there for each other.”
Ariel is also Chair of the OUH Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network at Oxford University Hospitals, President of the Filipino Nurses Association UK, and Chairman of the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire (FilCom Oxford).