UCLan student midwife recognised at national awards

23 May 2016

Djamila honoured for midwifery work in Africa

An inspirational student midwife studying at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been honoured for her passion and commitment at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Preston student Djamila De Oliveira Nauana was recognised as Runner Up in the Edith Cavell Leadership Award, sponsored by NHS Professionals, which was announced at a prestigious ceremony in London.

Djamila was celebrated by Cavell Nurses’ Trust for her enthusiasm, promotion of nursing care and leadership during her midwifery studies and has won a laptop to help with her studies.

Cavell Nurses’ Trust gives money and support to nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and students experiencing financial or personal hardship, often because of illness, domestic abuse, disability, working poverty and older age.

Djamila commented: “I am humbled to have been considered for this award and delighted to have been awarded runner up.”

UCLan midwifery lecturer Anna Byrom offered her congratulations. “Djamila has worked to support the development of midwifery care in Guinea-Bissau, Africa. Here she is focused on following in her midwife grandmother’s steps to improve health and well-being for mothers and babies. She will be pursuing an MSc in Public Health in France so she can make a difference at a strategic level in Africa and has already bought land to develop a maternity care centre in Africa.

“Djamila has been a dedicated student midwife and managed to succeed on our course, working in her third language. She is a real inspiration and I am so grateful to have met her and been part of her midwifery journey.”

The ceremony took place in front of a packed audience of nurses, midwives and healthcare leaders from around the UK. Special guest speaker at the ceremony, Sally Gunnell OBE DL, said: “It’s a real pleasure to share in the excitement of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust Awards. The world of athletics demands commitment and determination and it’s fantastic to see nurses and midwives are recognised for those values too.” 

"She is a real inspiration and I am so grateful to have met her and been part of her midwifery journey"

Cavell Nurses’ Trust Chairman Simon Knighton said: “The Cavell Nurses’ Trust Awards helps us be here for nurses and midwives, either by supporting them when they face hardship or by celebrating the amazing work that they do every day.

“We’d like to thank the generous organisations that sponsored our awards and lent their time and expertise to ensure the awards are a fitting tribute to the passion and commitment of all our finalists.”

The Cavell Nurses’ Trust awards are made possible by a number of sponsors that give their time and support to the scheme: NEXT PLC, The Belgian Embassy in the UK, Thornbury Nursing Services, NHS Professionals, National Gardens Scheme, RCN Foundation, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corp (QARANC), Public Health England, Curhams Ltd, Mark Allen Group and Capital Healthcare Recruitment.