Healthcare Assistant Jo wins Alyson Plummer Memorial Award

We're proud to share that Jo Marriott, one of our dedicated Healthcare Assistants working on Walton ward, has won this year's Alyson Plummer Memorial Award.

The Memorial Award - named after Alyson Plummer, a brilliant Occupational Therapist who passed away in 2005 - is given annually to a nominated member of staff to recognise brilliance and hard work.

The Award honours Alyson, who died in 2005 at the age of 28 from a rare kidney disorder called Gitelman Syndrome. Described by her mum as “an academic with a zest for life,” Alyson studied for a career as an occupational therapist. After several placements, she decided her future was working with the rehabilitation of brain injury patients at St Andrew’s Healthcare.

Following Alyson’s passing, her family put forward a Memorial Award to be given annually to a nominated staff member. The award is displayed in the corridor of the Kemsley building.

This year's Memorial Award ceremony was attended by Alyson's parents, Kevin and Julia, who had the opportunity to read through all the nominations and help decide upon the winner. Julia commented: "I would like to thank everyone here today on behalf of our family. I know that Alyson would like her award to honour a special kind of person, someone who would strive to continue her excellent work. She would be proud to recognise someone with passion, a positive outlook and enthusiasm."

This year there were 8 nominations for the Memorial Award; Dr Inga Stewart (Consultant Clinical Psychologist), Darren Midwinter (OT Technical Instructor), Sandy Robertson (Specialist Rehabilitation Assistant), Jyothi Kraleti (Specialist Physiotherapist), Jenny Watton (Lead Administrator), Jo Marriott (Healthcare Assistant) and Lois Leeson (Rehabilitation Assistant), and Jo was named as the recipient.

Jo's nomination read: "Jo is a truly amazing person, she always has a smile on her face, she is highly motivated and a complete joy to work with. It is her personality that shines; she just has a way about her, nothing seems too much trouble and she always seems to have more to give. Her kindness is unlimited and she genuinely thinks of others before herself."

At the event held last Friday (the day before Alyson's birthday), Julia unveiled the plaque with all previous winners' names on and presented Jo with a beautiful bunch of flowers.

Sarah Hayes, Clinical Lead for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Care IPU, led the ceremony, and reflected on her time working with Alyson. "She was an incredible OT, with a tremendously messy desk, full of creativity with a real passion for patient care."