UHNM organ donation nurse named ‘NHS Hero’

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) is proud to announce that Kirsty Lazenby, an organ donation nurse on Royal Stoke’s Critical Care Unit, has won the ‘NHS Hero’ award at this year’s Your Heroes Awards. 

The awards, organised by the University of Staffordshire and supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, celebrates the exceptional work and achievements of people and organisations across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. 

Kirsty was recognised for her role in supporting a young family through the end-of-life care of a parent on Critical Care. 

Kirsty said: “Being nominated in the NHS Heroes category was enough of a privilege to me as it was, but to be awarded as the winner was something truly amazing and seeing my children's faces when they announced my name was something I'll never forget. 

“It was a beautiful event, and being surrounded by so many people who have worked so hard to help others was just inspiring and I was truly honoured to be considered worthy enough of being amongst them. I've spent a lot of time considering what winning means to me, which has left me thinking of all the patients and their families I care for. They are the true heroes to me, and I consider this award theirs as much as mine.”

Highly commended awards were also presented to Dr Sanjeev Nayak, Consultant Interventional Neuroradiologist, in recognition of UHNM’s 24/7 Stroke Thrombectomy Service, and 80-year-old Eric Dray, a staff nurse on the Royal Stoke’s Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), who has worked for the NHS locally for more than 60 years. 

Kirsty was presented with her award by former British middleweight boxing champion Nathan ‘Hitman’ Heaney at a special awards ceremony at the Double Tree by Hilton. 

She was joined at the awards by husband Daniel, son Stanley and daughter Merrin.