AS nurses across the island observe National Nurses Week, the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is marking the occasion by honouring six outstanding members of its nursing team whose dedication, compassion, and commitment to patient-centred care continue to define excellence in nursing.

As the largest professional cohort at UHWI, nurses play a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality care every day, making National Nurses Week an important opportunity to recognise their invaluable contribution to the hospital and the wider health-care system.

UHWI marked the beginning of its Nurses Week observance with its annual Nurse of Excellence Awards Ceremony on Monday at the UHWI Hospitality Hall, bringing together nursing staff and hospital leadership to celebrate the dedication and invaluable contribution of nurses to the delivery of quality health care.

The awards recognise nurses who consistently demonstrate excellence in clinical practice, compassionate patient care, professionalism, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the values of UHWI.

This year’s recipients, selected from across the hospital, were Sashara Rust, Jada Simon, Tashana Williams, Kereshe Dryden-Huggins, Diamond Beckett, and Kerrice Williston, each of whom received a Certificate of Excellence and a gift basket in recognition of their exemplary service.

Rust was named the 2026 Nurse of Excellence, while Jada Simon and Tashana Williams were recognised as first and second runners-up, respectively.

The celebration also featured a Nurses’ Open Day, wherein nurses showcased their small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures through a series of exhibits, highlighting the creativity, innovation, and diverse talents of UHWI’s nursing team beyond their clinical responsibilities.

Senior Director of Nursing Helena Thomson said National Nurses Week provides an important opportunity to celebrate the nursing profession while recognising the individuals whose dedication continues to shape the patient experience.

“Nursing is a calling that demands compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Every day, our nurses go above and beyond to care for patients and support families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

“While today’s honorees represent the very best of our profession, they also reflect the dedication of every nurse across UHWI who serves with excellence, integrity, and unwavering commitment. We are immensely proud of their achievements and grateful for the compassion, professionalism, and strength they bring to our hospital every single day.”

UHWI nurses were also recognised on the national stage during the Nurses Association of Jamaica’s Founders’ Day Awards Ceremony, held on Sunday, July 19, as part of the association’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

Among the 80 nurses honoured were Dion Murphy-Nedrick, director of nursing, Surgery II Programme, and Olivia Williams-Coombs, clinical nurse manager, Quality Improvement Office, Nursing Administration, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the nursing profession.

National Nurses Week, observed from July 19-24, is being celebrated under the theme ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Save Lives’.

Organised by the Nurses Association of Jamaica, the week highlights the vital role nurses play in strengthening Jamaica’s health-care system through a programme of professional development, recognition, and engagement activities.

UHWI’s observance continues throughout the week with a series of activities designed to celebrate, support, and empower its nursing workforce.

The programme includes educational sessions, a nurses’ debate, wellness and fellowship activities, providing opportunities to celebrate achievement, strengthen professional bonds, and reaffirm the hospital’s commitment to supporting the nurses who remain at the heart of exceptional patient care.