Nurses have been praised by Kim Wilson, the health minister, for their resilience through the Covid-19 pandemic.

In remarks at the Nurse of the Year luncheon on Sunday, Ms Wilson said: “This pandemic took a personal toll on healthcare workers, especially nurses. It has also heightened awareness of the critical role of nurses in our healthcare system. Your profession is vital in any community, and you increasingly have to adapt, innovate, and extend yourself at significant personal risk.

“To our nurses, thanks to every one of you as you strive to enhance the nursing profession and improve the lives of everyone you touch.”

Ms Wilson made the remarks on the first day of Nurses Month. Before the Nurse of the Year announcement, a special award was given to Lilia Isidore and the staff of the Maternity Ward, represented by manager Nicole Harvey. The award was initiated by comments from a community member stating how much they appreciated the service provided by the maternity nurses.

As reported previously, Irena Ashton, owner, and manager of Bermuda Home Dialysis, was named as Nurse of the Year. Other nominees were Synda Cook-Roberts, manager of staff development at the Bermuda Hospitals Board; Renee Faulcon, nurse lecturer at Bermuda College; Karen Gooden, ICU manager at BHB; and Rosheena Masters, from the Ministry of Health.

International Nurses Day will be commemorated on May 12 with a proclamation from the steps of City Hall.