Mangaluru: Former Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital Sr. Aileen Mathias won the Best Nursing Superintendent award in the 20th Florence Nightingale Award 2020 – 2021.
Sr. Aileen worked as the CNO for 12 years (2004-2017) at Fr. Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru. From 2017 to 2021, she served as the CNO for Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru.
“I feel honoured. Somebody from Yenepoya Medical College Hospital had sent me one form. They asked me to fill it. I am a religious sister and I am not much into award receiving and things like that. Initially, I was not willing to do it. But they encouraged me to fill the form and send it. That is how I applied in 2020. I was really happy when they called me a day back,” said Sr. Aileena.
Explaining further she said that she recently retired from Yenepoya and joined the Infant Mary’s Convent in Jeppu. “Whatever we do honestly and do it in the right spirit, God will bless us in one way or the other,” she expressed.
The nominations of over 70 nurses were validated by the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare, as well as a few independents. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will present the award in the presence of Health Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar.
On the occasion of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, this award is presented. It is given to outstanding nurses who work in the Government, State/UT, Private, Missionary, or Voluntary. The winners will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, a certificate, a citation, and a medal.