Ysbyty Gwynedd nurse crowned Seren Betsi Gold winner
A nurse who went above and beyond to support a terminally ill patient and her family has been crowned this year’s Seren Betsi Gold winner.
Leisa Jones, who is a Critical Care Nurse at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), received the special award at this year’s Betsi Cadwaladr University Achievement Awards after coming out on top in a public vote.
The awards, sponsored by Centerprise International, celebrate the outstanding achievements of NHS staff from across North Wales.
Leisa was nominated by the family of Michelle Williams, who she cared for while she was a patient on ICU before she suddenly passed away in September 2018.
Michelle’s niece, Ceri Williams said: “The care Michelle and our family received from Leisa was more than we could have ever have asked for or expected.
“She made what was the worst day of our lives so much easier – she was so kind and compassionate and treated us like we’d known each other for years, it was like she was part of the family.”
Leisa said she was extremely humbled to receive the Seren Betsi Gold Award at this year’s Achievement Awards at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.
She said: “I would like to thank everyone who has voted for me - it is an incredible privilege to win this award and to be up against incredibly dedicated and talented people made it even more surreal.
“I’d like to thank my amazing colleagues who work on the ICU in Ysbyty Gwynedd, they work tirelessly for our patients and they have made me the nurse I am today.
“It was wonderful to be part of this year’s Achievement Awards and to see so many staff recognised for their dedication to the health board.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to the family of Michelle Williams for nominating me, Michelle was an incredible person and it was an honour to look after her.”
Busnes@LlandrilloMenai’s Executive Director of Commercial Development, Paul Bevan said: “We were delighted to attend this year’s BCUHB Achievement Awards to present the Seren Betsi Gold.
“All 12 finalists displayed true professionalism, commitment and compassion for their roles.
“We’d like to congratulate Leisa on this award, her dedication and caring nature really shone through and made her a worthy winner.”
Jeremy Nash, Chief Executive of Centerprise International, said: “It was a privilege to be the headline sponsor at the Health Board’s Achievement Awards for the third year running. The Awards served as an excellent opportunity to recognise all of the amazing people working within the NHS across North Wales.
“Centerprise is committed to supporting the Welsh community and NHS in equal measure. We were delighted to be represented at the Awards, which was a wonderful celebration of the incredible efforts of the Health Board and its committed staff.”