Our final Hospital Hero Award finalist is Mr Jarek Beta, a consultant in obstetrics and fetal medicine, who has helped many women facing difficult pregnancies be able to deliver their babies.
The Hospital Hero Award recognises a hospital worker who has done something extraordinary or made a real difference to patients’ lives, or their friends or family, and is one of 11 awards to be presented at the hospital’s Medway Annual Star Awards this month.
It is a special award to celebrate the outstanding achievements and commitment of hospital staff, with members of the public asked to nominate their Medway Maritime Hospital Hero. Thank you to everyone who has submitted a nomination to the Kent Messenger, award sponsors, for our Hospital Hero Award.

Jarek, who joined the Trust in 2013, said: “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor since I was young, and when I got to medical school, that was what kind of attracted me the most about working in obstetrics.
“I just really like when babies are born.”
Praised for a calming and charming nature that you need during an emergency, his nominations recognise the fact he goes above and beyond in his work.

Lauren Davies was diagnosed with a condition where the neck of the womb weakens or opens too early, leading to premature birth or miscarriage. She was referred to Mr Beta who carried out a procedure that places a stitch around the cervix, preventing this, and resulting in the safe delivery of her son at 35 weeks.
Lauren’s sister Lindsey said in her award nomination: “I attended many appointments with my sister during her pregnancy, and if kindness was a person, it would be Mr Beta. His empathy, compassion and all-round way with people is first class.
“He has the skill to make a family feel safe and comforted even when the odds are stacked against them.”
Such was the gratitude of the care and treatment Lauren received, she named her son Jarek in honour of Mr Beta.
Jarek said: “Sometimes things don’t go as you plan and we try our best, but I think that’s the challenge.
“You just need to talk to people about when things go wrong and just be with them on that journey.”
Speaking about his nomination, Jarek said: “I was not expecting this to happen. I think it was a reflection moment for me that what I do every day can change other people’s lives and what it means to them.
“To win would mean a lot, but it would also help to promote what we do in terms of our little part in Medway.”
Read Mr Beta’s story on Kent Online to find out why he has been nominated as a Medway Maritime Hospital Hero.
Liz Maclaren was our first finalist to be showcased. Our second finalist is Ann McKinnon. Jo May featured as our third finalist with Marcia Antunes as our fourth.
The winner of the Hospital Hero Award will be announced at our annual Star Awards ceremony on Thursday 12 June.
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