UCLH nurses announced as RCN Rising Stars 2024

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) London has announced the winners of this year’s Rising Star awards. We are proud to share that three of this year’s winners are UCLH nurses – Joanne San Antonio, Jermyn Congzon, and Jotham Marfil.

These awards recognise excellence in patient care, innovation and leadership from London’s Black, Asian, and multi ethnic nursing communities. This year’s winners were recognised for ‘giving a voice to staff and patients, for empowering themselves or encouraging others to take action and for showing compassion, innovation, and leadership’. All the winners work across a range of settings, both in hospitals and out in the community, such as critical care, paediatrics, mental health and nursing education. 

Joanne, clinical nurse specialist, said: “This award inspires and humbles me in so many ways. Recognition such as this should continue to highlight exceptional nurses and promote what we nurses do best!” 

Jermyn, practice educator, said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be one of this year's Rising Stars – it is a great feeling to know that my hard work and commitment in education is recognised. This has truly motivated me to continue to strive for excellence in my role.” 

Jotham, practice educator nurse, said: “I am truly humbled and grateful to be recognised as one of this year’s RCN's Rising Stars! I also feel very honoured to be standing alongside my fellow awardees. We represent different communities who serve the people of London with health and social care needs, but the common thread of excellence, compassion, and resilience weaves us together to create a beautiful tapestry that perfectly captures the concept of unity in diversity.” 

Speaking of their achievement, Vanessa Sweeney, chief nurse, said: “I am so proud to see three wonderful colleagues recognised this year. Kindness and teamwork were common across all their nominations, but they also highlighted exceptional personal achievements, from responding to patient feedback to the training and development of their peers, wider teams and internationally educated nurses. Thank you for your contribution to UCLH and huge congratulations.”