A Staff Nurse at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital has been awarded the latest Health Hero Award for coming back to the profession to support during the covid-19 pandemic.
Ana Cooke, who works on the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI), was presented her award by Stacey Keegan, Acting Chief Executive at the Oswestry-based hospital.
Ana was nominated by Rebecca Warren, MCSI Ward Manager, who said: “Ana suddenly lost a member of her family recently and due to this, I wasn’t expecting her to come back to work.
“However, she decided to come back when she heard all the news around the coronavirus pandemic and said she couldn’t be at home during this time when she was needed as a nurse.
“I am very proud of Ana and she has certainly goes above and beyond what I could ever expect from her. Fear is the feeling, not the deed, and doing the deed despite the fear is called courage – something Ana has.
“One good thing has come from coronavirus – it saved a nurse.”
The Health Hero Award is presented to unsung heroes, who are nominated by their colleagues for going the extra mile.
Ana is based on Gladstone Ward, the rehabilitation ward at MCSI, was presented with a special badge and certificate.
She said: “I’d like to thank Becky for the lovely nomination – MCSI are family to me and I knew I couldn’t leave them during this difficult time.
“I decided to return to work in order to support during the pandemic and help the team fight the battle.
“I was really overwhelmed to have won the Health Hero Award and I feel very honoured to be a recipient.”
Stacey said: “I am extremely proud of Ana for coming back to work to support her colleagues through the covid-19 crisis.
“Our response at RJAH is definitely a team effort, and I’m really glad she’s part of team RJAH again.
“I’d like to congratulate her for winning the latest Health Hero Award – she’s a very worthy winner.”
Pictured: Ana Cooke, Staff Nurse on Gladstone Ward, receiving her Health Hero Award from Stacey Keegan, Acting Chief Executive, alongside her colleagues on the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries.