Ariel Lanada, Divisional Educational Lead for the Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Trauma, Specialist Surgery, Children’s and Neonates Division of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is the joint winner of BAME Nurse of the Year in the National BAME Health and Care Awards. Ariel, who is also Chair of our Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network, was announced as the joint winner at a virtual ceremony yesterday (Thursday 6 May). The Awards were launched in 2019 by an enthusiastic group of volunteers from the health and care sector, in collaboration with Colourful Healthcare CIC, to champion the importance of recognising BAME talent and innovation.
As well as his role in Practice Development and Education, Ariel is Chair of the OUH Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network at Oxford University Hospitals, President of the Filipino Nurses Association UK, Chairman of the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire (FilCom Oxford), and an Associate Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University.
In his roles both within the Trust and beyond, he has been instrumental in supporting his colleagues and the Filipino community in Oxfordshire through what has been an extremely difficult period.
Ariel said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be able to support my colleagues and the Filipino community.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, and the teamwork demonstrated both in our hospitals and across the community has been wonderful to see. It has never been more important to support each other, and be there for each other.”
Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at the Trust, said: “This is really wonderful news – congratulations, Ariel.
“The past year has been like no other for everyone – including our staff and the BAME community. The support that Ariel and others in our Trust have been able to give is so vital, and such an essential part of wellbeing and care during this time. We are incredibly proud of everything Ariel and all of our staff do as part of our #OneTeamOneOUH.”