2009 Awards

2009 Iolanthe Midwifery Trust Awards

As with recent years, the applications from both midwives and students were of a universally high standard, reflecting the diverse interests and ambitions of those in the profession or about to qualify. Chair of the trustees, Professor Billie Hunter, said, "The decisions this year were harder than ever, with funds limited by the economic situation, but we wanted to help as many applicants as we could. Congratulations are due not only to our winners but all those who applied with innovative and exciting projects, and we wish them all well. It’s clear from all we hear that even when times are hard midwives will keep on keeping on with their wonderful care for mothers and babies!"
Read Elizabeth Duff's report on this year's winners

Anna Kent outside the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia

IOLANTHE STUDENT AWARDS, for elective placements or visits, went to:

Anna Kent, student at the University of Nottingham, who visited Ethiopia, observing work at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and a rural hospital near Jimma

Debbie Anderson, studying at the Liverpool John Moores University, for a placement at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi

Rhona Shrestha, at the Glasgow Caledonian University, who travelled to Nepal to make a film to ‘share women’s stories and ensure their voices are heard’

Winner of the Ann Stewart award for demonstrated commitment to midwifery practice is University of Northampton student Katy MacIntosh who undertook a placement in the UK with a specialist midwife in substance misuse and vulnerable women.

IOLANTHE MIDWIFE AWARD WINNERS were:

Cathy Ashwin, for her PhD studies at the University of Nottingham, to assist with interpretation and transcription of interviews for research on postpartum smoking relapse

Teresa Kelly, Senior Research Midwife at Newcastle University, to allow her to take the UNICEF BFHI course in breastfeeding management and the IBCLC examination

Winner of the Dame Rosalind Paget personal award for holistic care was Lee-Anne Harvey, based at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, to support her MSc in Advanced Midwifery Practice, especially her dissertation on involving fathers in breastfeeding.

From left: Anna Kent, Rhona Shrestha, Katy MacIntosh, Billie Hunter, Cathy Ashwin, & Alison Taylor

Alison Taylor

The new IOLANTHE TRICIA ANDERSON AWARD went to:

Alison Taylor, of Bournemouth University, who as part of her PhD is working with women in the early weeks of breastfeeding to make video diaries as an educational resource.

Alison said "It was a real honour to receive an award and also to be able to share my project with such distinguished guests at the Iolanthe Midwifery Awards Ceremony."