Five Northern Ireland members recognised at RCN Awards

The RCN Awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of outstanding members, and those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the nursing profession. 

Nominations are made by RCN members and reviewed by an awards committee, made up of members elected to senior RCN roles. 

Members were welcomed to RCN headquarters in London to celebrate the outstanding contributions they’ve made to the RCN, from going above and beyond to support colleagues to influencing positive change and strengthening the nursing profession.

Professor Owen Barr was awarded an RCN Fellowship which recognises innovative individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to advancing the science and practice of nursing and the improvement of health and patient care. 

As Professor of Nursing and Intellectual Disabilities at Ulster University, Owen is an internationally respected nurse academic whose leadership in nursing education has made a significant impact nationally and globally. During his tenure as Head of School, he expanded innovative learning across nursing and paramedic education, leading the transition of paramedic training into higher education and supporting the graduation of Northern Ireland’s first degree level paramedics in 2024.

For over three decades, Owen has co produced educational resources with people with learning disabilities and their families, influencing UK practice through guidelines and accessible learning tools. He has also shaped national nursing education standards, including chairing the Standards Delivery Group for community nursing. Owen has been commended for his sustained commitment to enhancing care for people with learning disabilities and exceptional research and teaching record. 

Professor Charlotte McArdle was also awarded an RCN Fellowship for her exceptional contribution to nursing and midwifery which has shaped community healthcare.

After working clinically in trauma, orthopaedics, rheumatology and general medicine, Charlotte became Chief Nursing Officer at Northern Ireland’s Department of Health in 2013. She guided leaders including through crises such as COVID-19 and eight years on, became Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, NHS England. She also established the UK's first national nursing role dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Charlotte was commended for her extensive experience across practice, leadership and policy and her contributions to women’s health, sustainability, nursing quality strategy and national visiting guidance. 

Dr Stephanie Craig and Dennis Greer received the Award of Merit which is the highest honour the RCN can give for voluntary service to the College. 

Dr Stephanie Craig, a lecturer at Queen’s University, Belfast was nominated for her leadership, inclusivity and commitment to improving nursing practice.

From adapting delirium training for over 500 students as a nursing student, to expanding its uptake across the UK, she has repeatedly advanced RCN education and championed diverse voices, including international nurses and healthcare assistants. Her contributions to the RCN Older People’s Forum, where she now serves as chair, include leading major communication and podcast projects, significantly increasing member engagement and establishing well attended UK wide webinars. She is also a strong local leader as chair of the RCN Independent Sector Network in Northern Ireland, organising events, supporting care homes and strengthening the professional voice of the sector. Stephanie was commended for her sustained, voluntary contribution at both national and regional levels. 

Dennis Greer also received the Award of Merit.

Dennis has served on the RCN Trade Union Committee, representing nursing support workers and most recently chairing the RCN Nursing Support Workers Committee. A dedicated RCN Representative, he consistently supports members with compassion, professionalism and integrity, offering person centred advocacy during challenging moments. His strong communication skills, reliability and positive attitude have made him a valued colleague and trusted voice for the nursing support workforce. Dennis has been commended for his long standing commitment, empathy and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others.

Marion Curran was awarded Health and Safety Representative of the Year. Marion has been an exceptionally effective Safety Representative, carrying out multiple health and safety inspections and supporting staff to raise serious concerns, particularly in a learning disability inpatient unit with high levels of violence and in an emergency department where patients were treated in cramped, unsafe spaces. Her calm, professional approach and determination have helped escalate these issues through management, strengthening staff confidence and ensuring action is taken. Now a staff side member of her employer’s Health and Safety Committee, Marion ensures the nursing voice is heard while promoting strong partnership working. She has also raised the profile of the RCN, recruited new activists and built meaningful connections with diverse groups of staff, demonstrating her commitment to fairness, safety and the wellbeing of all colleagues.

Professor Rita Devlin, Executive Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland said: “I am thrilled that five members from Northern Ireland have been honoured at the highest level in the Royal College of Nursing awards. It is inspiring to celebrate members who have made such an outstanding contribution to our profession. They are a credit to the College and exceptional ambassadors for nursing in Northern Ireland. My warmest congratulations to each of them.”