LSTM alumnus Nicholas Prince has received the Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross, a prestigious global nursing award.
The Florence Nightingale Medal recognises exceptional courage and devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster, as well as exemplary service or a pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.
Prince, who graduated from LSTM in 1997 with a Certificate in Tropical Community Health and Medicine, was honoured by the Australian Red Cross in recognition of his work in conflict and disaster situations, notably with the British Red Cross, the Australian Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Prince received the award at a special ceremony from Australian Governor-General David Hurley.
Prince joins MSc Community Health alumna Vivien Lusted, who received the Florence Nightingale Medal in 2021, further highlighting the excellence of LSTM graduates in the field.
Thirty-seven nurses from 22 countries were awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal for 2023, nominated by their respective National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society and selected by a commission comprised of the ICRC, the IFRC and the International Council of Nurses.
Prince said: “Studying at LSTM, with its profound history and the knowledge and expertise of its staff, very much influenced, contributed and supported my various roles working for the International Red Cross, UNICEF, UNHCR and WHO. It was soon after completing the Certificate in Tropical Community Health and Medicine that I was hired by the British Red Cross to work for the ICRC in Afghanistan in 1998. A lot of credit goes to LSTM and the University of Wollongong where I later studied for helping me to achieve this award.
“There were so many like-minded people that I met at LSTM, and it really was the school that inspired me, as well provided me with the knowledge to begin my humanitarian journey.”