Two UST CON alumni were awarded the prestigious Chief Nursing Officer Silver Award for their contributions to the field of nursing in the United Kingdom last October 2021.
Karen Caramat and Christian Gregory Grageda were presented the said award by Ruth May, England’s own National Health Service Chief Nursing Officer.
Grageda, now an acute oncology clinical nurse specialist, was originally Camarat’s mentor at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. The two became colleagues for the second time in the Isle of Wight, the largest and second-most populous island in England with a population of 141,538 as of 2019.
Karen Caramat graduated from UST in 2014 and worked as a medical-surgical nurse for almost 5 years in the UST Hospital.
In 2019, she decided to move abroad and started a job as a healthcare assistant.
“Fast forward to March 2021, I am now the Ward Sister/Ward Manager (Band 7) of an acute medical/COVID ward.”
On the award, Karen said: “As part of a wider commitment to recognizing the value of nurses and midwives, Ruth May (our Chief Nursing Officer) launched the new Chief Nursing Officer for England and Chief Midwifery Officer Awards at the CNO Summit 2019.”
Both Karen and Christian received the silver award, which recognizes “major contributions to patients and the profession, for nurses and midwives”, she explained. Meanwhile, the gold award recognizes lifetime achievements for nurses and midwives.
Caramat shared that she was “speechless” and sobbed throughout the entire ceremony.
“For a Filipino nurse (and a Thomasian at that) to be awarded, it is such an honor. I didn’t even consider myself to be graced with this prestigious award. As both Christian and I have said post-ceremony – we just come to work and do the best that we can for our patients.”
When asked what receiving the award meant to her, she said: “Personally, receiving this award sums up all those challenges an overseas nurse like me had to face. Professionally, it is a testament of the difference a nurse can make in a patient’s life especially in this pandemic.”
However, Karen stated that working abroad is also challenging in many ways, regardless of the remarkable career opportunities it can provide.
“Starting a career in a foreign country – you must be well prepared not just physically or emotionally, but also mentally ready. You have to understand that while you are achieving your life and career goals, you have to be away from your family to be able to do that.”
Both Dean Susan Maravilla and Dean Rowena Escolar-Chua of the UST College of Nursing expressed their congratulations to Grageda and Caramat.
“You have soared high and shown the world how noble our nursing profession is. Congratulations for being ideal Thomasian nurses… so proud of you”, Dean Maravilla said.
Dean Escolar-Chua stated: “Congratulations Christian and Karen! So proud of you both. MABUHAY ang Tomasinong nars. Mga Sto. Tomas nurses! Your UST College of Nursing family shares your joy in your achievement.”
Most importantly, Karen penned some words of gratitude to the college for molding her into the accomplished nurse she is today.
“The UST College of Nursing laid out the foundations of my nursing career. Everything I have accomplished; the academe has played an integral role in shaping who I am right now. You carry and live the 3 Cs wherever you go – ensuring that what you have learned from the corners of our Martin De Porres building for 4 years, accompanied by your unwavering passion for nursing through its ups and downs, and lastly the will to provide for your family back home – made me the accomplished professional I am today. Thank you UST College of Nursing.”
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