Their collective achievements reflect the strength and innovation within our school and highlight the transformative effect of their work on students, practice partners, and the wider health and social care community.

Reflecting on the award recipients, Johanna McMullan, Director of Education, said:

“Our colleagues continue to drive forward excellence in education, ensuring our students are prepared, confident and compassionate practitioners who make a real difference to the lives of patients, families and communities. Their dedication and innovation strengthen our programmes and inspire all of us within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.”

Read about their achievements below. 

Dr Debbie Rainey (Senior Lecturer)

Dr Debbie Rainey has been recognised with the Individual Teaching Award for her exceptional commitment, creativity, and impact in designing and delivering outstanding learning experiences for post-registration students. Her leadership in developing the three Practice Education modules has exemplified excellence in innovative and supportive teaching. Through developmental learning activities and flexible assessment strategies (such as creating learning resources, formulating and applying learning objectives, compiling e-portfolios, and developing simulation case scenarios), Dr Rainey has fostered engagement, confidence, and reflective practice. Her approach has enabled learners to showcase their strengths, enhance their academic and professional development, and apply new knowledge directly within their clinical practice.

Dr Mark Dornan (Lecturer)

Dr Mark Dornan has been recognised for excellence in teaching innovation and academic-practice collaboration within the School of Nursing and Midwifery. His work has focused on integrating artificial intelligence, ethics, and co-design into nurse education, most notably through the ChatEBN AI chatbot and AI-enhanced pharmacology learning activities. These initiatives have strengthened evidence-based practice, digital literacy, and student engagement. Mark’s postgraduate teaching innovations, including the RESPS Workshop and Palliative Care Journal Club, have also demonstrated strong impact and reach. His “Every Nurse an AI Nurse” framework positions Queen’s University Belfast as a leader in ethical AI integration in nursing education.

Dr Steph Craig (Team Lead), Dr Eva Sweeney (School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences), Dr Eiman Abde Meguid (School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, and Dr Gary Mitchell

An interdisciplinary team from the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery and Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences was recognised for the co-design and evaluation of an innovative, voluntary digital anatomy game. Developed collaboratively by Dr Stephanie Craig, Dr Eva Sweeney, Dr Eiman Abde Meguid, and Dr Gary Mitchell MBE, the game was created in response to student demand for more engaging and accessible revision tools. Grounded in educational theory, it enhanced knowledge retention and confidence among over 500 students. The project’s success has influenced institutional discussions on embedding game-based learning into curricula, advancing inclusive and interactive educational practice.

 

Dr Tracey McConnell (Team Lead), Becky Williamson, Heather Guttridge, Stacey McGeown, Oonagh McCloy, Barry Tucker, Hannah McConnell, Emma Wilson, Lesley Reynolds, Diane Armstrong, Lynn Robinson and Maria Doherty

An innovative intra-professional module was developed to enhance mental wellbeing and collaboration across nursing disciplines. Bringing together over 400 students from adult, children’s, learning disability, and mental health fields, the initiative fostered confidence, belonging, and professional identity. Its pioneering pedagogical approach transformed the student experience, with strong evidence of impact through survey feedback and enhanced communication skills. The work achieved international recognition through presentation at the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki, the formation of new global collaborations, and alignment with WHO recommendations, exemplifying the collaborative and inclusive ethos of Strategy 2030.

 

Monica Donovan (Team Lead), Dr Oonagh McSorley, Oonagh McCloy, Professor Christine Brown Wilson, Emma Reid and Maria Somerville

The team was recognised for the innovative use of simulation-based learning (SBL) to embed leadership capabilities- delegation, prioritisation, communication, and decision-making skills- within the nursing curriculum. Authentic scenarios were co-designed with students, staff, and PCEP to enhance experiential learning and professional readiness. The module has reached over 1,000 nursing students, with evidence of improved confidence, teamwork, and clinical competence. Underpinned by research design, the project has been disseminated nationally and internationally through conference presentations and a forthcoming publication, demonstrating leadership and excellence in advancing professional nursing education through innovative, evidence-based teaching practice.

Laura Creighton (Team Lead), Professor Donna Fitzsimons, Dr Gemma Caughers, Dr Gary Mitchell, Dr Gareth Thompson and Dr James McMahon.

The team was recognised for the development of ASMOSUS, a cardiovascular disease digital educational resource. ASMOSUS is a student and academic co-designed resource to provide education on cardiovascular disease, risk factors and motivational interviewing. Delivered to over 1000 nursing students and embedded in the current curriculum, the project has encouraged nursing students to be aware of their own risk factors, improve their own health and discuss lifestyle behaviours with others. CVD as the largest cause of death globally has led to the team culturally adapting the resource following opportunities in Indonesia and America. Heart Health Champions, students recruited from each nursing cohort, provide support and educational awareness for fellow students and the general population.

Julie Brown and Pauline McCarthy (Co-Team Leads)

The Rural Health Committee aims to promote and raise awareness of the unique health needs of rural communities within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, in QUB and in the wider community. The Committee are fostering a network of students that will work to champion rural health and address rural health inequality in their practice. Participation in initiatives such as the Braid Science Summer Scheme, Balmoral Show and the Rural Health School Inreach simulation day have facilitated students to engage with and educate the wider community on the issues facing rural communities and membership of the Rural Agri Health Forum and affiliate membership of the Farm Safety Partnership have allowed the Committee to become firmly embedded in the sphere of rural health in Northern Ireland since its establishment in 2024.

Dr Martina Galeotti (Team Lead), Nimmy John, Dr Clare McKeaveney & Niall McKenna

A team lead by Dr Galeotti and formed by Ms Nimmy John, Dr Clare McKeaveney and Mr Niall Mckenna has created a sexual health evidence-based session (lecturer + workshop) tailored to increase their confidence, knowledge and awareness to assess and discuss sexual health needs in practice. The educational resource has been since embedded within a module; and it has been formally evaluated showing a dramatic improvement on students’ confidence in talking about sexual health with patients. This initiative marked the first integration of the 6Ps framework into the nursing curriculum to teach sexual and reproductive health, framed through a trauma-informed care lens. The lecture and workshop significantly changed student nurses' experience. After participating, students reported feeling more confident discussing sexuality and STIs with patients, offering preventative education, and understanding key concepts such as HIV transmission. 

Professor Marian Traynor (Co-Team Lead), Dr Billiejoan Rice (Co-Team Lead), Ms Naomh Quinn, Dr Mark Dornan, Mr Joseph Avneri, Mrs Stephanie McCorvie, Ms Maria Farrell & Mr Matt Birch                                   

This interprofessional team developed a pioneering video-based assessment for an undergraduate nursing interprofessional education module, embedding it within Canvas to reflect digital transformation and inclusivity. Designed to support diverse learning needs and withstand AI-related challenges, it engaged all learners while showcasing effective interprofessional collaboration. The initiative has influenced colleagues’ institution-wide, informing digital learning strategies and providing templates and resources for future assessments. By combining innovation, expertise, and shared practice, the team has created a sustainable, forward-looking model for digital education that exemplifies excellence in shaping inclusive learning and supporting student development.

These achievements highlight the remarkable dedication and innovation within the School of Nursing and Midwifery. We are immensely proud of our colleagues whose work continues to elevate educational practice, inspire learners, and advance excellence across our programmes, our university, and the wider health and social care community.