It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our well-loved and respected colleague Debra Ugboma from the School of Health Sciences who died on 25 August.
Debra played a key role in the School of Health Sciences for many years. She was the Programme Lead for the Post Graduate Diploma Nursing programme before becoming Director of Programmes for Nursing and Midwifery. She was leading the revalidation of the nursing programmes when she made the decision to retire early on health grounds in 2018 in order to make the most of her time with her family.
In 2013, SUSU held its first ever Excellence in Teaching Awards to offer students the opportunity to recognise and congratulate those who had supported and inspired them throughout their time at university. Out of a total of 663 nominations by students choosing their best lecturers across five different categories, Debra was awarded Highly Commended in the Best Feedback Provision category at both Faculty and overall University Award level. She was also awarded under the University’s Staff Achievement recognition programme in 2007 and 2015. Debra was also a keen staff ambassador, by acting as a Faculty member of Senate and the Faculty Engagement Survey Champion.
Debra started her clinical life as a nurse from the Bolton School of Nursing in 1981, before embarking on a Bachelor of Nursing programme at the University of Wales in 1988. She completed her MPhil, also at the University of Wales in 1991 before obtaining her Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice at the University of Southampton.
Debra had a clinical background in renal nursing and worked in renal services across Oxford, Cardiff, Birmingham and Portsmouth. She also presented numerous papers at national and international conferences and made chapter contributions to two nursing textbooks. Her research interests included long term conditions and post registration nurse education.
Debra was a very hard-working and caring colleague, who will be missed by the many staff and students she worked with and taught during her time at the School of Health Sciences.
