The Elaine Drummond Perpetual award for Intellectual Disability Nursing

17 Sep 2024

Sally Hennessy receiving the award today has demonstrated kindness, compassion and a very caring nature towards people with intellectual disability.

It was my great privilege to present the Elaine Drummond perpetual award today on behalf of the Intellectual Disability Nursing Team here in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and COPE Foundation. Elaine Drummond was an esteemed colleague here in the School, Cope Foundation and beyond. Elaine graduated as an RNID in 1991. She worked in a number of community and residential services for children and adults before joining UCC as a lecturer on the Intellectual Disability Nursing programmes. Over the course of her career, she was steadfastly committed to supporting people with intellectual disability and their families. She passionately and resolutely promoted and advocated the advancement of intellectual disability nursing and services. Unfortunately, she died all too soon in July 2010.

Elaine would be honoured to have a perpetual trophy recognising excellence in intellectual disability nursing in her name. In the same vein she would expect the student receiving this award to be performing to a high standard academically and clinically.

The student receiving the award today has demonstrated kindness, compassion and a very caring nature towards people with intellectual disability. They are dynamic and passionate about the role of the RNID.  When asked about this student, lecturers, CPC’s and preceptors used words like positive, an advocate, a team player, committed and passionate. This student has excelled during her clinical placements, adapted well to new environments and is willing to lead and guide other students and to share her knowledge. Over the course of the programme, she has always ensured that the needs of people with intellectual disability that she supported were a priority. She has grown in confidence and developed great clinical decision-making skills and continues to develop her knowledge base. She has shown great empathy and passion when supporting persons with intellectual disability to achieve their goals. Because this student portrays the values of Intellectual disability nursing, I am delighted to say that Sally Hennessy is this year’s recipient of the Elaine Drummond Award.