Celebrating our Employee of the Month winners for 2025 | News

Our Employee of the Month awards recognise members of staff, teams and volunteers who demonstrate outstanding care and service through their actions, compassion and innovation.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners!

January

Dan Asbury, Theatre Support Worker

Dan Asbury was recognised for his contribution to patient care and support in theatres. He was nominated for his patient-centred approach and his ability to support anxious patients, adapting his communication and support to meet individual needs.

Colleagues highlighted his experience, knowledge and ability to make timely decisions in a busy clinical environment. His effective communication and commitment to supporting both patients and colleagues have made him a valued member of the theatre team.

Since receiving the award, Dan has also taken on the additional role of National Major Trauma Registry Coordinator alongside his theatre responsibilities, further supporting the delivery and development of patient services.

Highly Commended: Barbara Brewer, Night Telephonist

Barbara Brewer was highly commended for her longstanding contribution to the Trust. Having worked on the hospital switchboard since 1989, she has provided consistent support to staff, patients and visitors for more than three decades.
Throughout her time with the Trust, Barbara has adapted to many changes within the service while maintaining a professional and reliable approach. Her dedication, experience and commitment to helping others have made her a valued member of the team and an important part of the Trust's day-to-day operations.

 

February

Roxanne Yarwood, Theatre Support Worker

Roxanne Yarwood was recognised for her commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and supporting improvements in her department. Alongside her day-to-day role in theatres, Roxanne identified an opportunity to improve support for patients with learning disabilities and autism.

To help colleagues better understand and meet the needs of these patients, she developed a dedicated section in the department's orientation pack for new staff members.

The resource provides guidance on delivering personalised care and promotes a greater understanding of the adjustments that may be needed to support different patients. Her work has helped strengthen awareness within the team and supports a more inclusive approach to care.

 

March

Stephen Cox, M&E Assistant

Stephen Cox was recognised for his contribution to the refurbishment and improvement of Lord North Ward. Working closely with Estates teams and contractors, he helped coordinate the project and ensure work progressed according to schedule.

The improvements have enhanced the ward environment for both patients and staff, creating a more welcoming and functional space. 

Stephen played an important role in maintaining communication between teams throughout the project and helping to minimise disruption while the work was carried out. His efforts supported the successful delivery of the refurbishment and the benefits it has brought to the ward.

Highly Commended: Rob Osborne, Assistant General Manager for Surgery

Rob was highly commended for supporting teams during the winter period and helping to improve processes across General Surgery wards.

 

April

Hannah Wain, Nursery Nurse, and Lucy Gosnell, Lead Nurse for Critical Care Rehabilitation

Hannah Wain was recognised for her fundraising efforts in support of neonatal services. Through a range of fundraising activities and partnerships, she helped secure five BiliSoft blankets, which are used to treat babies with jaundice. The additional equipment has helped increase access to treatment for newborns requiring phototherapy.

Lucy Gosnell was recognised for leading a number of improvements to rehabilitation and recovery support in Critical Care. Under her leadership, the team introduced initiatives including individual rehabilitation goals at the bedside, extended visiting arrangements for some patients, outdoor rehabilitation opportunities and support groups for patients after discharge. 

These developments have helped enhance the experience and recovery journey of patients receiving intensive care.

 

May

Cheysel Bacani, Senior Theatre Practitioner

Cheysel was recognised for her commitment to patient safety and quality care in theatres. Following her recent promotion to Senior Theatre Practitioner, she has continued to support safe and efficient surgical services while providing leadership and support to colleagues.

She was nominated after identifying an issue with surgical equipment during a hip replacement procedure. Her vigilance enabled the team to respond quickly and take appropriate action. The nomination highlighted her professionalism, attention to detail and contribution to maintaining high standards of care.

 

June

Tim Marshall, IT Technical Team Leader

Tim Marshall was recognised for leading the rollout of an updated IT system while ensuring day-to-day IT services continued to run effectively. The programme involved upgrading a significant number of computers used across clinical and non-clinical services.

Tim coordinated the work alongside his regular responsibilities, helping to minimise disruption to staff and patient services. His leadership and planning helped ensure the project remained on schedule while maintaining the support required by departments across the Trust.

Highly Commended: Dr Ahmed Holayel, Resident Doctor

Dr Ahmed Holayel was highly commended for his work across several clinical areas, including Oncology Same Day Emergency Care and the Clinical Decision and Discharge Unit. Colleagues highlighted his calm approach and support during busy and demanding periods.

 

July

Ana Teixeira, Lead Theatre Practitioner

Ana Teixeira was recognised for her leadership within theatres and her ongoing commitment to patient care. She plays a key role in coordinating theatre activity across multiple specialties and supporting services to run safely and efficiently.

Alongside her operational responsibilities, Ana has been involved in service developments, including supporting the introduction of robot-assisted surgery. She is also recognised for mentoring colleagues and helping to create a positive and supportive working environment. Her contribution has benefited both patients and staff across the department.

Highly Commended: Buster Hubbard, Stores Person, Maidstone Intensive Care Unit

Buster Hubbard was highly commended for his role in ensuring essential equipment and supplies are available in the Intensive Care Unit. His proactive approach helps support the smooth running of the service and enables clinical teams to focus on patient care.

 

August

Ms Danielle Brogden, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon

Ms Brogden was recognised following positive feedback from a patient who received treatment at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The patient highlighted the care and support they received throughout their treatment journey, including before, during and after surgery.

The feedback recognised Ms Brogden’s expertise, communication and commitment to ensuring patients feel informed and supported.

The nomination also highlighted the time she took to regularly review and reassure the patient during their recovery, helping them navigate a challenging period of treatment.

Highly Commended: Chris Hetherington, Cleaner

Chris Hetherington was highly commended for her dedication and willingness to support colleagues by taking on additional responsibilities when needed. Her contribution helps maintain a clean, safe environment for patients and staff.

 

September

Dr Kate Stannard and Dr Helen Burdett, consultant anaesthetists

Dr Kate Stannard and Dr Helen Burdett were recognised for their work establishing Women in Medicine International (WIMIN), an organisation that supports women working in healthcare and promotes a range of charitable and educational initiatives.

Alongside their roles, they organise conferences that explore a range of topics affecting the healthcare workforce, including leadership, equality and professional development. Their work has supported opportunities for learning, networking and discussion among healthcare professionals both within and beyond the Trust.

Highly Commended: Dr Chanse Fyffe, Resident Doctor

Dr Chanse Fyffe was highly commended for her work supporting timely patient discharge and helping patients move safely through their care pathway.

 

October

Corinne O'Donovan, Senior Theatre Practitioner

Corinne was recognised for her contribution to patient care and service improvement in obstetric theatres. She is known for her calm and professional approach, ensuring patients feel informed, supported and safe throughout their care.

Corinne has also developed resources to support staff training and development, including a detailed orientation pack and practical reference cards for routine and emergency scenarios. 

These materials have helped strengthen staff confidence and support the delivery of safe and effective care. Her work continues to make a valuable contribution to both patient experience and team development.

Highly Commended: Kerry Coleman, Midwifery Practice Facilitator

Kerry Coleman was highly commended for her support for colleagues and students within maternity services. Her work in education, wellbeing and professional development has helped create a supportive environment for staff while contributing to the ongoing development of the maternity workforce.

 

November

Dr Alex Ashley, Emergency Department Digital Fellow

Dr Alex Ashley was recognised for developing an innovative solution to support patient safety and care during periods when systems were down. After identifying a gap in patient tracking in the Emergency Department, he independently learned coding skills and developed a tool that enables staff to track patients in real time.

The solution has improved visibility of patient journeys in the Emergency Department and supports other teams in monitoring patients across the organisation. By providing access to live information when other systems are unavailable, the tool helps support safer care, efficiency and a better experience for both patients and staff.

Highly Commended: Raji

Raji was highly commended for her leadership of Ward 22 and her commitment to improving patient care. Her work has contributed to improvements in patient safety, discharge processes and team working within the ward.

She also introduced a Relative Clinic to strengthen communication between teams and families, helping relatives feel better informed and involved in their loved one's care. Her focus on patient experience, staff support and service improvement has had a positive impact on both patients and colleagues.