A breast cancer nurse who has cared for thousands of patients is retiring after serving 40 years at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
Geraldine Sheridan began her journey as a trainee nurse at City Hospital, Birmingham, when it was known as the Dudley Road Hospital School of Nursing back in 1981.
After qualifying she went onto work in the surgical wards for more than 14 years at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
She said: “My real enthusiasm for nursing started in 1996 when I worked on the breast gynae-oncology ward at the Trust – this is where my passion began.
“I worked there for around five years and then in 2004 moved to my present role as Macmillan Breast Care Nurse.”
Though Geraldine has wanted to be a nurse since childhood, her most testing time came during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She explained: “My biggest challenge was when I was redeployed to work in critical care at City Hospital for around five months during the pandemic. However, what started out as a frightening thought soon changed into a really positive experience thanks to the fantastic critical care team who helped and supported me through my time on the unit.”
Geraldine has been a real credit to the Trust and supported many patients through difficult times.
Paying tribute to her time at the Trust, Helen Taylor, Macmillan Breast Care Nurse said: “Geraldine is a truly outstanding nurse who has touched and made a difference to so many patients’ lives.”
Dr David Spooner, Oncologist, echoed these thoughts and added: “Geraldine is and always will be a legend! Thousands of patients and relatives are grateful for her immense professional skill, but above all for her unique kindness, listening, personal touch, faithfulness, integrity and understanding.”
As part of her retirement Geraldine plans to spend more time with her grandchildren.