Elaine Drummond Perpetual Award

14 Sep 2023

In memory of Dr. Elaine Drummond (1967-2010)

It is my great privilege to present the Elaine Drummond perpetual award today on behalf of the Intellectual Disability Nursing Team here in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and COPE Foundation. Elaine Drummond was an esteemed colleague here in the School, Cope Foundation and beyond. Elaine graduated as an RNID in 1991. She worked in a number of community and residential services for children and adults before joining UCC as a lecturer on the Intellectual Disability Nursing programmes. Over the course of her career, she was steadfastly committed to supporting people with intellectual disability and their families. She passionately and resolutely promoted and advocated the advancement of intellectual disability nursing and services. Unfortunately, she died all too soon in July 2010.

Elaine would be honoured to have a perpetual trophy recognising excellence in intellectual disability nursing in her name. In the same vein she would expect the student receiving this award to be performing to a high standard academically and clinically. Over the last four years the student receiving the award today has proven to be forward thinking, passionate about the role of the RNID, ensuring the needs of people with intellectual disability that she supported were a priority. When asked about this student, lecturers, CPC’s and preceptors used words like positive, dynamic, friendly, courteous, an advocate and professional. Over the course of the programme, she has grown in confidence and has been involved in the development of clinical initiatives with colleagues. She has shown great empathy and passion when supporting persons with intellectual disability to achieve their goals. Because this student portrays the values of Intellectual disability nursing,

I am delighted to say that Alanna Murphy is this year’s recipient of the Elaine Drummond Award.