Nurse collects national leadership award

A senior nurse at Mid Cheshire Hospitals has received a prestigious national honour for her long-term impact on the profession.

Dhanya Radhamani Dharan, Deputy Divisional Head of Nursing for the Surgery and Cancer Division, claimed top spot in the Legacy Builder category at the ASKeN National Nursing Summit and Awards 2026.

The award recognises nurses who have demonstrated sustained leadership and mentorship which strengthens and supports the wider nursing community.

Dhanya, who has spent the past decade building her nursing career in the UK, collected the honour in front of senior leaders from the NHS, academia and the private healthcare sector.

She said: “I am incredibly grateful to the ASKeN team for not only this recognition, but for the opportunity to be part of a community that uplifts, mentors and empowers nurses.

“This award is not just a personal achievement, but a reminder of the impact of value‑driven leadership, mentorship and dedication to patient care.”

Scott Malton, Chief Nursing Officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “This is a fantastic and well‑deserved achievement. The Legacy Builder Award reflects not only Dhanya’s personal leadership journey, but the positive and lasting influence she has on her colleagues and the care we provide to our patients.

“Dhanya is a hugely respected nursing leader within our organisation, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognised at a national level.”

The Alliance of Senior Kerala Nurses (ASKeN) is a UK‑wide, non‑profit professional forum representing senior nurses from Kerala, India, across the NHS, higher education and the private sector.

Its mission is to strengthen leadership representation, support professional development and influence nursing leadership and practice across the UK.