Nurse Heroes Recognized by UNTH Enugu

from left to right Dr Mrs Epie-Sona Gladys and Mrs Comfort Ewunonu

The medical Unit of University of Nigerian Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu (UNTH) organized a sent-forth ceremony for two of her nursing heroes pictured above who served the Hospital for Thirty-five (35) years each. The Celebrants Dr Mrs Epie-Sona Gladys and Mrs Comfort Ewunonu who coincidentally both hail from Mbaise Imo State and had accomplished so much as nurses.

The occasion which was highlighted by breaking of cola nuts, speeches by the celebrants, Song presentation by the Medical unit staff, Gift presentations, dances and speech by the hospital Head of Nursing services. see more of the pictures and information after the break.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Mrs Epiesona a West African College of Nursing fellow (FWACN) who retired as an Assistant Director Nursing (ADN) on January 2013 at UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, said she was gladdened to be at the occasion to celebrate with other nurses she left behind at the time of her retirement and encouraged them to carry on the good work nurses are doing irrespective of the challenging environment and situation of work. She also said that hard work as a nurse will always make on stand out amongst the rest and that it is only the sure means of job satisfaction in the profession.

The Chairman of the occasion Dr. Ojinma encourage the nurses to continue the good work outside the hospital and also encouraged the ones who are active in the service to always give the retirees their positions once they are around the hospitals as "we only have the hospitals as our own banks and should utilize it properly" 

The Head of Nursing Services pointed out that we shall be remembered by the work we did when we were around and that it is the yardstick to which we will be judged and urged every nurse present to ensure they get the kind of sent-forth received by the two celebrants.

Dr Mrs EpieSona and Her Husband Elder Drew Epiesona

Mrs Comfort Ewunonu and Husband

The Chairman of the Ocassion Dr. Ojimma

Medical Unit Staff with Dr. Mrs Epiosona: Pioneer of the Unit Establishment

Barr. Mrs Onyejekwe Reading Dr. Mrs Epiesona's Citation

HNS UNTH Enugu

Music Presentation by Young Medical Unit Staff to Dr. Mrs Epiesona

HNS Nursing services UNTH on white at extreme right

Presentation of Gifts

Gift Presentation

Gift Presentation

 Read more about Dr. Mrs Epiesona:

Dr. (Mrs.) EPIE-SONA, GLADYS NGOZICHIKA, (FWACN), is a retired Assistant Director Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, having worked as a Nurse Administrator cum Midwife Educator in both the clinical units of the Hospital and the School of Midwifery respectively.

EDUCATION:

ü  A Fellow of the West African College of Nursing, (FWACN), a body regulating Nursing in the Western (Sub-Saharan) Africa

ü  A Registered Nurse (RN)

ü  A Registered Midwife (RM)

ü  A Registered Midwife Educator (RME)

ü  A Trained Family Planning Care Provider

ü  A Registered Nurse Administrator (RNA)

ü  A holder of B.Sc. Nursing (Administration and Management) Degree, UNN

ü  A holder of Post-Graduate Diploma (Management) Degree, UNN

ü  A holder of Masters in Business Administration Degree, UNN

ü  An Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Health Administration, Planning and Management, Calvary University, Salonika, Greece.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

ü  As a trained professional Nurse/Midwife/Midwife Educator, worked in various Clinical units of the Nursing Department of U.N.T.H and the School of Midwifery, U.N.T.H, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

ü  Was involved in classroom teaching and clinical supervision of Midwives in Practice, within the Hospital and Domiciliary experiences.

ü  Works as a Health Service Resource person of Apherion Health Services; in Counseling, Developing Methods of Improving Safe Motherhood and Integrated Management of Childhood Diseases and Routine Immunization.

ü  A First-Aider/Commissioner of the International First Aid Society, (IFAS) Nigeria; involved in First Aid Trainings/Workshops and Lectures; as well as Health Education in Schools, Industries and Organizations.

PUBLICATIONS/PAPERS PRESENTED:

To mention a few:

ü  EPIE-SONA, G.N; Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations. Nursing Digest Journal, Nigeria, October, 2010.

ü  EPIE-SONA, G.N; Peri-Natal Health Care: A New Dimension in Reproductive Health. Nursing Digest Journal, Nigeria, November, 2010.

ü  EPIE-SONA G.N; Effects of Child Hospitalization on Child and Family. Article, WACN, 2010.

SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES:

Too numerous to mention, within Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia and the U.S.A

FAMILY AND SOCIAL LIFE:

ü  Married and has a family.

ü  A practicing Christian.

AWARDS/HONOURS:

ü  Mother of the Year 2009 Award, by the Womens’ Guild of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Idaw-River Parish, Enugu.

ü  Merit Award for Hardwork, Excellence, Achievements and Service, by the entire U.N.T.H Nurses, May, 2010.

ü  Honorary Ph.D in Health Admin and Management, June, 2010.

ü  Award as an Ambassador of Peace by an affiliate body of the United Nations (IFAS), July 2013.

ü  Mother of Faith Award by the Presbyterial Womens’ Guild, Enugu Presbytery, July, 2013.

ü  Appreciation for Invaluable Contribution and Dedication to the Service of Humanity, U.N.T.H, May, 2014.