The 60-year-old, who lives in Gillingham, said: “I like working in the area I live in and supporting our community. It means even more knowing my family is part of it too.”
Many of the colleagues she met early in her career still remain close friends today too.
She said: “There are so many fantastic people at Medway. I’ve built very strong working relationships and friendships here.
“The team I work with now is wonderful and so supportive of me and each other.”
At the age of 19, Belinda began her nursing career as a pupil nurse at Medway Hospital School of Nursing. She qualified as an Enrolled Nurse in 1985 and worked on a respiratory medical ward. In 1987, she retrained as a Staff Nurse before joining a surgical ward at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Rochester.
When the ward closed in 1993, she transferred to a surgical ward at Medway Maritime Hospital where she developed her clinical and leadership skills to become a Clinical Sister.
To mark her career milestone, Belinda was invited to our Long Service Awards, alongside other colleagues who have completed 20, 30, 40 or 50 years’ continuous service.
In total, 89 colleagues were recognised at the event, including Ward Clerk Denise Short, who is celebrating 50 years of continuous service.
Siobhan Callanan, Interim Chief Executive, and Chair John Goulston, presented each member of staff with a certificate and pin badge to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution they have made to patient care over the years.
Siobhan said: “On behalf of everyone at the hospital, I want to thank Belinda for the care and dedication she has shown to our patients, their families and our staff over the last 40 years. We are lucky to have her.”
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