New Zealand Nurse Awarded Highest Red Cross Honour

New Zealand Nurse Awarded Highest Red Cross Honour

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has awarded New Zealander, Janet Askew, the highest international distinction a nurse can receive.

The Florence Nightingale Medal honours exceptional courage and devotion to the victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.

The medal also recognizes exemplary services and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health and nursing education.

“Janet has extensive international nursing experience. Her first mission with New Zealand Red Cross was in 2003 when she went to Sudan (Juba) as a Health aid worker,” says New Zealand Red Cross Secretary General Andrew McKie.

“Janet has exemplified the personal qualities of courage and bravery many times during her career. The Florence Nightingale Award recognises her outstanding commitment and devotion to duty,” he says.

This year 32 aid workers throughout the world will receive the Florence Nightingale Medal. It is the 44th award of the medal. Janet Askew is only the 26th New Zealander to receive the award.

Janet will deploy to Lebanon next month on her sixth Red Cross mission.

Janet Askew – Summary Biography:

Janet Askew’s background is in public-health and nursing, and has worked in a variety of roles within the New Zealand health sector.

Janet Askew undertook her first mission with the New Zealand Red Cross in 2003 when she went to the Juba, (then) Sudan, as an ICRC Health Delegate. Since that time Janet Askew has undertaken roles in Indonesia (2005/ 2006) following the 2004 Asian Tsunami, Sudan (2007/ 2008), Iraq (2009/2010) and most recently Sudan (2011/ 2012).

In addition to international work with the Red Cross Movement, Janet Askew has also worked as a Clinical Nurse consultant in the Torres Strait, Northern Australia. Janet Askew is also the recipient of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami) (awarded in 2006), the New Zealand Operational Service Medal 2002 (awarded in 2010), and New Zealand General Service Medal for Iraq 2002 (awarded in 2010). Janet Askew lives in Gisborne, and is working for the Cancer Society.

ENDS

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