Rebecca Keefe – Unsung Hero Awards

Nomination

Award Category:

Admin & Clerical

Individual or Team Nomination?

Individual

Qualifying Qualities

In these challenging times, nominators were asked to show how the nominee had demonstrated the following qualities:

Exceptional work ethic - going above and beyond their job description, especially in the past 12 months.
Outstanding achievement/s in work or outside of the organisation where relevant.
Drive for innovation and proactive leadership in these challenging times.
High level of interpersonal skills, such as kindness, empathy, loyalty and thoughtfulness to staff and patients.
A resilience considering Covid to their role and to the health and wellbeing of their colleagues.

Nominators Answer

Nominee's story :

I would like to nominate Rebecca Keefe, Cancer Business Partner at Southend Hospital for an Unsung Hero Award 2021 within the Admin and Clerical criteria, for the exemplary leadership she has shown over the past 2 years. Rebecca with her empowering and supportive leadership style has successfully transitioned the Urology services. Rebecca has had an enormous, yet quiet impact in this role by working collaboratively with administrators and supporting clinical teams to change the pathways of patients and clinical timetables to ensure maximum efficiency to further improve patient experience, and staff satisfaction. Rebecca has worked tirelessly and is an advocate for all Urology patients. Over the course of the last 2 years, Rebecca has: • Improved staff morale across the whole team. • Despite financial and other barriers has increased the overall workforce for both cancer and benign services. • Increased joint Oncology Clinic Capacity, whilst also facilitating outreach JOC clinics across the MSE to limit patient travel. • Created IT solutions to monitor and address surgical activity and priority. • Committed to weekly activity meetings with clinicians to ensure no clinic or theatre time has been wasted. • Supported the introduction of local anaesthetic prostate biopsy into the OPD setting. • Supported staff with solutions to working differently during a national pandemic. • Encouraged staff progression with her supportive leadership style. • Worked with clinicians to clear backlogs of treatments and surgery due to COVID 19 • Facilitated change with HARM reviews. Whether working with internal or external groups, Rebecca looks to find the best outcome for all involved and truly exemplifies the core values of the Trust. Her communication style is both engaging and challenging, whilst always professional. Rebecca brings a considered and thoughtful approach to leadership but equally a willingness to learn. Not one to be rushed, Rebecca likes to ensure work is completed thoroughly and has massive interactions with all her peers and direct reports. Rebecca takes the time to listen and make sure everyone is included in the conversation then returns with a thoughtful and inclusive decision. Rebecca works with gusto and determination and is also honest, friendly and has such a considerate nature to all that work with her. Rebecca always sees the good side of people and encourages other staff members to do the same. Rebecca has an open door policy and has time for everyone who comes to her door and works tirelessly well beyond a normal work week, her energy and commitment to any role she takes on unquestionable. Rebecca has in depth knowledge and expertise of cancer and benign patients within Urology and the challenges that are faced within this very busy specialist service. It is without hesitation and with much pride that I nominate Rebecca Keefe for an Unsung Hero Award 2021. Lastly a quote from Mr Hanif Motiwala, Consultant and Lead Urologist “ Rebecca displays true hero qualities. Heroes don’t set out to be Leaders, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role - always about the goal”.