Dedicated healthcare professionals with a combined service of more than 640 years have been recognised at a special ceremony.
The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) held a special event at the Wolverhampton Civic Centre on Thursday 3 July to celebrate its long serving staff members.
26 members of staff who have dedicated 20, 30 and 40 years to the NHS were honoured at the ceremony for their long and loyal service in the NHS.
Sandra Gordon, Complex Clinical Case Manager in the Continuing Healthcare team at the Black Country ICB, attended the event and received an award for 40 years of service. Reflecting on the milestone, Sandra said: “I began my career as a healthcare worker in March 1985, and later went on to complete my Registered Nurse Mental Health training. Since qualifying, I’ve worked across a range of specialist units, including Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), crisis home treatment, and both older adult and adult care at Hallam Street Hospital.
“For me, the most rewarding part of the job has always been the patient contact - seeing service users reach their optimum level and thrive in their communities is incredibly fulfilling.”
Also honoured with a 40-year service award was Dawn Rowley, Quality Nurse Advisor for Walsall Place at the Black Country ICB. Commenting on the milestone, she said: “I qualified as a nurse in 1988, and my first role was in elderly care at Walsall Manor Hospital, followed by a position in critical care. Over the last 40 years, I’ve held a variety of different roles, including ward manager, safeguarding, quality and improvement, and governance.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to receive this 40-year long service award. I still remember my first day and how proud my parents were. I wish they were still here to see me reach this milestone, but I’m sure they’re with me today.”
Among those recognised for 30 years’ service was Gail Fortes-Mayer, Associate Director of Strategic Commissioning for the Black Country ICB. Gail began her NHS career in 1993 as a Public Health Audit Facilitator in the Black Country and has since held a wide range of influential roles across commissioning and performance management.
She said: “I first joined the NHS after researching the impact of cardiac rehabilitation for my degree and was struck by how significantly it transformed patients' self-esteem and recovery. That experience inspired me to pursue a career where I could help shape and improve services for patients.
“Over the years, I’ve worked in acute care, primary care, and specialised commissioning, from helping bring more GPs to under-served areas to securing important intensive care services for children in Birmingham. I’ve had the privilege of working with passionate colleagues across the region, and I’m proud to have played a part in delivering high-quality, patient-focused care.
“Receiving this award feels particularly meaningful, as it marks a return to the Black Country where my journey with the NHS first began. The NHS has evolved tremendously over the last 40 years, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown with it.”
Jyoti Saini, Senior Principal Pharmacist for the Black Country ICB, also received an award marking 20 years of service in the NHS. She said: “After qualifying as a pharmacist in 1997, I worked at Boots and as a lecturer. However, I wanted to join the NHS to be part of a clinical team to support and help patients as well as develop my clinical expertise further.
“When I first began working in general practice, the role of a pharmacist in that setting was still very new. There was no job description, no clear expectations, and limited awareness among GPs and patients of what we could offer. I had to navigate uncharted territory, build trust, and demonstrate the value pharmacists could bring to primary care. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how integral we’ve now become to general practice teams.
“Over the years, I’ve been proud to support patients, contribute to service development, and work alongside dedicated colleagues - including through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve had the opportunity to grow clinically and as a leader, and I’m grateful to have played a part in delivering care that truly makes a difference. It’s a real honour to receive this long service award and to reflect on how far the NHS and the pharmacy profession have come.”
Also receiving an award for 20 years-service was Gary Arnold, Senior Contracts Manager for the Black Country ICB. Gary started his career in the NHS back in 2004 as a Contract Manager for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Hospital Trust.
Gary said: “I was inspired to join the NHS at the age of 30 by a close friend who had recently joined, and by a strong family tradition as both my mother and grandmother worked in the NHS. After a career in the private sector, I was drawn to the idea of contributing to something with real social value.
“Over the last two decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a wide range of services in the Black Country, from contracting and commissioning, to overseeing complex projects such as ward and theatre refurbishments, new builds, and specialist procurement. It’s been a varied and fulfilling journey.
“The most consistent and inspiring part of my NHS career has been the people. I’ve worked alongside dedicated and talented colleagues who bring professionalism and passion to their roles every day, even amid constant change.
“Receiving this long service award is a real honour. It’s a chance to reflect on the resilience, sense of purpose, and impact that comes with being part of the NHS.”
Mark Axcell, Chief Executive Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “Reaching 20, 30, or 40 years of service in the NHS is a truly remarkable milestone and one that deserves recognition.
“Our long service awards provide a wonderful chance to honour the dedication and hard work of our colleagues who have devoted so many years to the NHS. It’s also a moment to celebrate the outstanding teamwork that drives our services every day.”
