Published on: 25 September 2023
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and two of its members of staff received awards and recognition for work carried out within the NHS at a national awards scheme run by Asian NHS professionals last weekend.
Both the Trust and Ade Odunlade, its Chief Operating Officer, won awards for contributions to the NHS at the Asian Professionals National Alliance (APNA) NHS awards. Amber Ghei, Communications Officer, also received a certificate of merit for her hard work.
The awards celebrate South Asian colleagues and those who support equality, diversity and inclusion work to break through the glass ceiling and visibly make a difference to the NHS and its diverse workforce.
Derbyshire Healthcare was successful in winning the Trust of the Year award, which recognised the different ways the Trust has demonstrated positive outcomes through promoting and driving forward the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
The Trust has demonstrated a commitment to reducing health inequalities and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion while also celebrating our workforce and promoting a positive culture across healthcare.
Ade, who started at the Trust in 2021, was successful in winning the Mentoring and Coaching Champion Award. This award recognises the significant positive action Ade has taken in coaching and mentoring aspiring diverse leaders and creating a pipeline for the future.
Ade’s work with helping to develop the weeklong programme for school leavers, which launched early August, to help provide an insight into the different roles within the Trust and wider NHS to help encourage students to consider the NHS as a future career shows his commitment to help the NHS build an inclusive and diverse workforce for aspiring NHS workers.
Amber, who joined Derbyshire Healthcare in 2022, received a certificate of merit in the Rising Star Award category, having demonstrated significant impact, influence, career progression and leadership in a short amount of time - and considered an NHS leader of the future.
APNA is a voluntary organisation of NHS health and social care leaders of South Asian descent. The network have a clear focus on reducing health and workforce inequalities; supporting and informing policy and strategic change.
Selina Ullah, Trust Chair at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted our colleagues, Ade and Amber’s efforts have been recognised in their award categories and we are lucky to have them as part of Derbyshire Healthcare. We will continue to promote the values and aims of APNA NHS and our organisation to support our diverse workforce.”
Ade was pleased to receive his award, he said: “It is an honour to win an award, particularly one which champions diverse leaders. I am excited to continue coaching and mentoring aspiring leaders to excel in their fields and will continue to promote inclusion and diversity within my work.”
Amber was also delighted with her certificate of merit, she said: “I feel very proud to have achieved a nomination and certificate for this award, I hope to continue promoting diversity and inclusion throughout my work, and champion the APNA values moving forwards.”
