Six nurses from University Hospitals Sussex have received prestigious Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Awards from NHS England, celebrating their exceptional contributions and outstanding service to nursing.
The CNO Award is one of the highest accolades available to NHS staff. It recognises individuals who go above and beyond the expectations of roles, demonstrating excellence in clinical practice, education, research, leadership and focusing on diversity and health inequalities.
Gold award: Sam Elliott‑Olechnowicz
Sam Elliott‑Olechnowicz, Senior Practice Educator for Multi‑Professional International Recruitment, received the coveted CNO gold award for his exceptional leadership with inclusivity at its core, and his commitment to transforming the experience of internationally recruited healthcare professionals joining the NHS.
Sam has played a pivotal role in reshaping recruitment, onboarding and retention across nursing, allied health professionals, international medical graduates, and healthcare scientists. His work has helped set new standards for profession‑specific, culturally sensitive support.
Through his compassionate approach, Sam established a Trust-wide pastoral support model that begins before colleagues arrive in the UK and continues throughout employment. This model addresses not only professional transition, but the personal, cultural and practical challenges of relocation, helping colleagues feel welcomed, supported and settled.
Sam also created a successful podcast The International Care Collective (ICC) sharing the stories of NHS staff from around the world, funded by NHS England’s #StayandThrive programme.
Sam said: “To receive this award, one I would consider to be the pinnacle in any nurse’s career, is quite honestly mind-blowing. To be in a select group of my peers nationally is an honour and a privilege, and one that will be one of, if not the highest point in my career.
“My work means so much to me, and these amazing people who leave everything they’ve ever known and loved to come and care for us and our loved ones is inspiring. Working in international recruitment and education has made me see and want to ensure everyone, regardless of their profession, has the support they need, and quite frankly deserve, and is a driver that will enable me to continue and improve where possible what has already been achieved.”
Silver award: Carmina Montefrio, Netce Sia, Sharon Reed, Claire Hunt and Bridget Notes
Ward Manager, Carmina Montefrio, received a CNO silver award for the transformational impact she has had on her ward, creating a culture of cohesion, confidence and safety.
Carmina has been instrumental in embedding key safety processes, ensuring colleagues are trained, supported and empowered to deliver safe, effective care. Under her leadership, the ward has consistently achieved outstanding results.
She said: “This recognition means a great deal to me, not only for my personal and professional growth, but also as a reflection of the invaluable contribution and dedication of the entire team I work alongside in the service of nursing.
“I continue to draw inspiration from the hard work, compassion, and commitment of my colleagues who tirelessly support one another every day. I am truly grateful and proud to represent Broadwater [ward] in receiving this silver award. This recognition belongs to all of us who continue to collaborate, support one another, and strive to provide the highest standards of care for our patients every day.”
Netce Sia, Senior Clinical Educator, received a CNO silver award for her passion for inclusion and her long-standing dedication to developing international nurses over more than a decade. She was an internationally recruited nurse herself, arriving in the UK in 2002.
She said: “I understand first-hand the challenges of starting again in a new country, adapting to a different healthcare system, and working towards a UK PIN while being away from family and familiar support systems. That lived experience shapes everything I do.”
Netce has led programmes supporting nurses from arrival and registration through to confident, high‑quality clinical practice — often going above and beyond to support colleagues and even their families.
Her nationally and internationally recognised work continues to evolve to meet changing needs. This included the creation of the ‘Pathway to Practice’ programme, which builds confidence through practical, simulation‑based learning, and supports staff at key transition points, including returning to clinical roles after time away.
Netce said: “This is a deeply meaningful and humbling moment in my career. To me, it recognises not only my own work, but also the invaluable contribution of internationally educated nurses across UHSussex and the importance of strong support systems that help nurses feel welcomed, valued, and able to succeed within the NHS.
“For me, this work goes beyond registration; it is about helping international nurses develop a genuine sense of belonging, build a sustainable career, and see a future with us.”
Sharon Reed, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), received a CNO Silver Award for her exceptional contribution to patient safety and quality through more than two decades of expertise in infection prevention.
Having led services through the pandemic and the transition of a newly merged Trust, Sharon played a pivotal role in uniting and developing a new IPC team. She has grown talent, nurtured future leaders and supported staff progression from healthcare assistants through to registered nurses and beyond.
A champion of innovation, Sharon has led the introduction of new technologies and fostered a strong culture of research, learning and continuous improvement within IPC.
Claire Hunt, Divisional Director of Nursing for Women, Children’s and Clinical Support division, received a CNO silver award for her exceptional leadership within children and young people’s mental health.
Claire has led a compassionate and determined transformation, ensuring some of our most vulnerable children receive safer, more person‑centred care. She has championed new pathways for neurodiverse children and those experiencing acute mental health crisis, embedded an inclusive culture, and created specialist leadership roles to support frontline teams caring for children in distress.
Training, supervision and wellbeing support have been significantly enhanced under her leadership, and Claire is widely respected for standing alongside staff in ‘moments of crisis as well as calm.’
Registered Nurse, Bridget Nodes, was recognised for an extraordinary career of service spanning nearly five decades in the NHS with a CNO silver award.
Bridget is known and respected across the Trust for her vast clinical knowledge, professionalism and unwavering commitment to patients and colleagues.
Having worked across emergency care, paediatrics and a wide range of adult specialties, often in senior nursing roles, Bridget is renowned for her depth of experience and calm expertise in even the most complex situations.
Recently retired, the award is a fitting tribute to her remarkable nursing career and the legacy she leaves behind.
Colleagues were presented with their awards by Andrea Lewis, the regional Chief Nurse for NHS England’s South East region alongside, UHSussex Chief Nurse, Dr Maggie Davies.
Dr Maggie Davies, said: “I am incredibly proud of all our CNO award recipients, who truly reflect the very best of nursing at UHSussex. Their compassion, leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusion, safety and compassionate care make a real difference to our patients, our colleagues and our communities. These national awards are well deserved and recognise not only individual excellence, but the values our nurses embody every day.”