Waterford woman receives award for her ‘enormous contribution to her community
Ann van Hemelendonck (centre), from Mowlam Tramore Nursing Home (Co. Waterford), who was awarded the Resident Achievement Award at the NHI Care Awards 2026, pictured with Jillian van Turnhout from Nursing Homes Ireland, and Clodagh Killeen from LHP Skillnet on Thursday 5th November 2026.
A Waterford-based woman has won the Resident Achievement Awards at the NHI Care Awards 2026.
Ann Van Hemeledonck of Tramore Nursing Home was honoured for her contribution to her community.
CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, said they were incredibly proud to recognise Ann and her work.
“Ann's success at this year's NHI Care Awards reflects the enormous contribution she has made to her own nursing home community, and the wider Waterford community through her personal dedication and resolve to thrive for better – illustrated through her success with the 50K in May Challenge, which raised much-needed funds for MS Ireland. Well done, Ann, you truly are an inspiration to us all," said Mr Daly.
Ann received her award at a gala held in the Hogan Suite, Croke Park Stadium on Thursday night, in front of over 335 people from across the nursing home sector in a night that celebrated excellence in nursing, care assistance, activities coordination, culinary services, end-of-life care, dementia care, and innovative practice.
The expert independent judging panel, led by Professor Amanda Phelan from the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health at DCU, alongside Paula O'Reilly, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, and Andy Heffernan, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, selected the Winner based on compassion, innovation, dedication, and impact on residents' quality of life.
