Inspirational Newman Alumni Wins National Award

A Newman alumni who worked in a Rwandan hospital as part of her course, has been given a national award to recognise her as an inspirational role model.

Deborah Huyton, a 29-year-old final year adult nursing student who is studying at the University of Central Lancashire, was handed the Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year prize at the annual Student Nursing Times Awards in London. The award recognises trainee nurses who have inspired others by acting with integrity, taking part in a transformational project of overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

Deborah, who beat eight other contenders to win the award, said: “When my name was read out I could feel my heart pounding and I just felt overwhelmed. I never set out to do anything special and I feel so honoured to be given this award.”

After attending Brownedge St Mary’s Catholic High School and then Cardinal Newman College, as part of her studies at UCLan Deborah undertook a work placement at an intensive care unit in a Rwandan hospital. Here, she worked with local nurses to implement an assessment criteria for deteriorating patients.

She said: “The intensive care unit had just eight beds so it really puts things into perspective and made me appreciate our NHS even more. In Rwanda people walk for days just to see a doctor.”

The former horse riding instructor was also applauded for working closely with her fellow nurses and taking part in fundraising events for the Royal College of Nursing Benevolent Fund.

The Head of the UCLan School of Nursing, Dr Karen Wright, congratulated Deobrah saying: “We are incredibly proud of Deborah. She is truly an inspirational student who demonstrates all the core values of a compassionate nurse. She is an innovative, committed and authentic young woman who really shines as a person, who has, and will make a difference to people’s lives by her sincere and evidence-based approach to nursing.”

Deborah, who lives with her boyfriend in Lostock Hall, has already been offered nursing jobs in Preston, Birmingham and Warwick upon graduation. Her tutor at UCLan, Sabina Gerrad, added: “Deborah has been a credit to UCLan and the nursing profession. I have no doubt that she will continue to be inspirational throughout her nursing career.”

Staff who taught Deborah at Cardinal Newman College are very proud of her achievements and wish her the best of luck in the future.