Congratulations to our long service award winners including Elaine, who celebrated 30 years in dietetics at Addenbrooke's and Lissamma with 20 years as a nurse in both clinical and research roles.
In May we celebrated our longest serving members of the CUH Family. Elaine Corden joined Addenbrooke’s straight from university in 1992.
Elaine shared her story with us.
“I came to Cambridge fresh faced out of university in July 1992, initially on a two month fixed term contract and have never left!
"After my clinical placement in July 1991, starting a new job as a qualified basic grade dietitian a year later wasn’t daunting; I was welcomed back with open arms!
"I feel as if I have worked multiple jobs in neuro, eating disorders, liver, transplant, and renal without ever moving from the CUH family. Renal dietetics has been a constant in my clinical career for the past 30 years; I have covered all areas of nephrology in CUH, but Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) has been my mainstay.”
It’s especially satisfying when a patient is successfully transplanted and starts a new chapter in their life, off dialysis.
"For the past 20+ years, I have steadily increased my managerial responsibilities for dietitians, dietetic associate practitioners and dietetic assistants who work within the Renal, Hepatology and Gastroenterology specialist team. It’s a rewarding and busy role.
"I enjoy my job and I am proud to work within such a friendly and supportive dietetic team.”
Lissamma Titti trained as a nurse in Kerala, India. A nursing home in Cambridge was her first placement when she was recruited from India in 2003. Wanting to move back into acute care, and as Addenbrooke's was the only hospital she knew, she applied here.
Lissamma shared her story with us.
"After my nursing registration, my employer transferred me to Edinburgh, Scotland. As I was a trained nurse I wanted to move back into acute care.
"From 2003-2011 I was a staff nurse, however I had to step down from this role and any further clinical roles due to knee injuries.”
I feel lucky that I was able to continue with my nursing career given that I had to step down from clinical roles.
“If I had been in India I would have had to retire or change careers completely. However, being at CUH meant I was able to move internally and I became a data analyst in the critical care units in 2011.”
Kevin Skilton is the associate operations manager for Cancer. He oversees both the Cancer directorate and Trust Cancer wide services.
This year Kevin is celebrating 20 years’ service with CUH.
Kevin shared his story with us.
"I was born and brought up down the road in Haverhill. I originally joined Addenbrooke’s in the finance department in September 2003 as a budget liaison officer in the Income Team.
“I learnt so much during this time about how the NHS worked. I decided however that I wanted more people contact and so moved to Radiotherapy.
"I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else really. It has to be the fact that I am involved in making a difference for our patients and supporting them through the journey of Cancer diagnosis, treatment and onwards.”
If I can do or change one thing that makes life easier or better for one of our patients then I am succeeding.
Vivien Mendoza
"I have always maintained that as an non clinical role my place is to support and make the work of our clinical staff easier so they can focus on the patient and use their knowledge, training and skills to support and care for our patients.”
Aldwin Odulio, is a senior charge nurse on the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU). Aldwin, graduated in 1995 at St. Jude College in the Philippines.
This year Aldwin is celebrating 20 years of work at CUH.
“I initially worked in the Emergency Department of St. Jude General Hospital and Medical Centre in the Philippines. Then when I moved to the UK I worked at North Tyneside District General Hospital in Whitley Bay, Northumbria.
“I applied to work on the Lewin Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit at Addenbrooke’s, my application was successful and I started in 2003. Then after 18 months on Lewin, I moved to the Neuro Critical Care Unit and haven't left.”
What I really love about my job is the level of care it allows me to give my patients.
"In an intensive care unit (ICU), we give the highest possible level of support at the most critical time in a patient’s care.
"As well as managing a team of nurses, I lead on the quality and safety aspects of the unit.
“Apart from CUH being one of the most prestigious research hospitals in the country, I love the diversity and inclusion. I am originally from the Philippines and this is very important to me.”
You can read more from our 2023 Long Service Award winners here.