Nurse Specialist at Homerton awarded the RCN’s Rising Stars of 2023 Award
Congratulations to Noreen Chindawi, Anal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist at Homerton, who has been named as a winner of this year’s Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Rising Star Awards.
Noreen is one of the Rising Star Award winners who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to health and social care in London this year. The awards are part of RCN’s Black History Month celebrations and recognises nurses and healthcare support workers from London’s Black, Asian, and other ethnic background nursing community for their innovative work, inspirational leadership, and improvements in patient care.
Noreen worked as a nurse in Zimbabwe for 10 years before moving to the UK over 20 years ago. She is part of the Homerton Anogenital Neoplasia Service (HANS) and is one of only two anal cancer specialists in England, helping to develop specialist cancer services for people with anal cancer. Noreen supports people diagnosed with anal cancer before, during, and after their treatment and as a high-resolution anoscopist she’s part of the HANS screening and treatment service for people who are risk of, or have developed, pre-cancerous lesions. As well supporting many people affected by anal cancer, Noreen runs post-cancer clinics, trains nurses across the country to support the development of new local services, and train anoscopists.
Noreen said: "I am deeply honoured and humbled to have won this award. It's not just a recognition of my efforts, but a reminder that our work has a profound impact on individuals, and it only strengthens our commitment as nurses to providing effective and safe care. They say behind every successful nurse there is a strong support system that plays a crucial role; I would like to acknowledge and say thank you to my nominator, managers, mentors, colleagues and the HANS team, who have guided me in achieving this pivotal landmark in my career. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow both personally and professionally."
Breeda McManus, Chief Nurse at Homerton Healthcare said: “I am beyond delighted that Noreen has been awarded one of RCN’s Rising Stars. She’s one of only two specialist nurses in the country undertaking the role she does, she’s truly an inspirational nurse and leader. We are really proud of her achievement and thrilled she’s being recognised for all the amazing things she does.”
Congratulations to Noreen!
Find out more about the Rising Stars on the RCN website.