Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 18: In a momentous ceremony, nurse Presilla Wilma D’Souza received the esteemed Florence Nightingale Award, a testament to her exemplary dedication and service in the field of nursing. The award, instituted by the ministry of health and family welfare, government of India in 1973, recognizes the meritorious contributions of nurses and nursing professionals to society.
Presilla, born on May 26, 1984, in Madanthyar, Dakshina Kannada, was honoured for her outstanding contributions to patient care, particularly in oncology. The award was presented by Dinesh Gundu Rao, minister for health and family welfare, government of Karnataka, during a ceremony held on July 12.
From L to R: Sr Nancy, Fr Jeevan, Nurse Presilla, Fr Richard, Fr Neelesh Crasta and Sr Dhanya
Presilla’s journey in nursing began with her general nursing and midwifery (GNM) studies at Father Muller College from 2002 to 2005. She initially served as a staff nurse at Father Muller’s until 2009. After a brief hiatus to focus on her family - husband Arun Melcom D’Souza and children Alok, Alisha, and Alrik, she re-joined Father Muller’s as an in-charge nurse in the Sacred Heart Ward, an oncology unit.
In 2018, Presilla further honed her skills by completing the central venous access devices (CVAD) course at TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She has since performed over 90 peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertions and received the Best Ward In-charge Award at Father Muller’s.
Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, congratulated Presilla and expressed his gratitude for her unwavering commitment to patient care. He emphasized her vital role in the Sacred Heart Ward, providing exceptional care to cancer patients. Fr Jeevan George Sequeira, administrator, proudly noted that for the past four years, a nurse from Father Muller Medical College Hospital has been recognized with this prestigious honour.
Wishes of appreciation also poured in from Sr Dhanya Devasia, principal of FMCON, and Sr Nancy Priya Mathias, chief nursing officer, who commended Presilla for her dedication and professional excellence.
Presilla’s recognition with the Florence Nightingale Award underscores her profound impact on the lives of countless patients and her exemplary contributions to the nursing profession. Her story is an inspiration to nurses everywhere, highlighting the importance of compassion, skill, and dedication in healthcare.