Tallaght University Hospital staff recognised through Hero Awards

NINE awards were given to staff from Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) last week for the hospital’s fifth annual Heroes Awards.

The awards recognise the difference that staff have made to both their colleagues and hospital patients, with many being nominated by patients and hospital staff.

Lucy Nugent, chief executive of TUH, said: “Tallaght University Hospital is nothing without the people who work here, which is why these awards are so important.

“I am very proud of our staff and their commitment and true heartfelt desire to make things better for our patients.

“These awards give patients, families and colleagues the chance to say thank you and to recognise the excellence demonstrated by the staff here at TUH, something I know will remain the case, as the hospital continues to expand its services.”

This sentiment was echoed by TUH’s director of HR, Sharon Larkin, who praised the hospital staff and their contribution to patient care over the past year.

“It has been heartening to read all the nominations and hear of all the exceptional things our staff do to care for our patients,” said Ms Larkin.

“What is also clear is that despite a tough couple of years, staff continued to work tirelessly in often difficult circumstances.

“The calibre of our staff and their commitment to our patients is clear and I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their dedicated service.”

Tallaght University Hospital Hero Award category winners 2022

Patient Experience – Nurse Vangie Heroso from the post-anaesthesia care unit who was described as “a real earth angel” by the sister of a patient she treated.

People Caring for People – Joint winners are Alison Baker Kerrigan, arts officer, and Clara Monahan, music therapist in the Arts and Health Department.

Unsung Hero – Alison Loughnane, health care assistant in the William Stokes unit whom a colleague praised as being “hard-working and a great team player”.

Service Excellence – Professor Tara Coughlan, consultant geriatrician, noted by a colleague as someone who is “exemplary as a clinician and stands very strongly amongst her peers”.

Mentoring Award – Dr Ann Leonard, quality innovation manager, who is credited by a colleague as offering other staff opportunities that are “empowering and motivating”.

Teamwork Award – Ann Dwyer, clinical nurse manager in the Franks Ward, is described as being positive and having the “patients’ best interest at the centre of her management”.

Team of the Year – Patient Food Services Team, who were warmly praised by a colleague, who said they had “gone over and beyond in caring for our patients and staff”.

CEO Awards – There were two further awards nominated by the chief executive on behalf of herself and the management team

The first recipient of this award was Dr Maria Donnelly, consultant intensivist, with the chief executive praising her for her dedication to the hospital and becoming the clinical lead for the ICU expansion.

The second recipient was hospital porter Broc Delaney. In her commendation, the CEO said: “Broc is receiving this award in recognition of the many years of dedicated service he has given to the hospital in his role as porter and also for his excellent leadership as Chair of the Trade Union Alliance.

“I have always appreciated his professionalism, solution-focused engagement with the hospital executive and commitment to enhancing the working lives of staff and also patient care.”