A former NHS cardiology nurse who puts her heart and soul into bringing joy into a Cardiff care home has won a coveted national award for her efforts.

Georgiana Ionescu, who lives in Saint Mellons, was appointed general manager of Hallmark Regency House Luxury Care Home in Ely, Cardiff, part of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, three-and-a-half years ago, bringing with her decades of clinical experience from cardiology, dentistry and audiology through to neurology and maxillofacial surgery.

The busy mum-of-two moved to the UK from Bucharest 14 years ago and worked as a nurse in cardiology at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before taking on various nursing and leadership roles in social care settings.

The 38-year-old’s inspirational approach has now earned her a bronze award in the final of the Wales Care Awards 2024 – dubbed as the social care industry ‘Oscars’.

Georgiana, who lives with her husband and has a daughter and son aged 10 and nine, was shortlisted for the Leadership & Management in Residential Care Services Award, sponsored by Christie & Co.

Supported by lead sponsor Ontex Healthcare, and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, the awards recognise the outstanding work of those in the care sector.

Georgiana received her prize at a glittering ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff, hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

Georgiana, who was previously employed as deputy manager at the home for six years before temporarily leaving to work in the NHS, said: “I was really chuffed when they told me I’d been shortlisted. It was completely unexpected.

“Working in care homes is not easy, you need to have a certain passion for it. I’m an only child and my parents both worked so I was raised by my nan throughout my childhood. I now see my nan in every resident I support and try to look after them as I would like my nan to be looked after. It’s in that kind of connection where I find my passion for my job.

“I’ve realised how important social care is and the impact we can make, because old age and moving into a care home is not the end of the road, it’s the beginning of a new road. There are lots of things to discover at the later stage of your life that bring joy to your life until the end.”

As a former cardiology nurse, Georgiana assisted a range of non-invasive surgeries including the fitting of stents and valve replacements. She described it as a ‘very adrenalin-driven job’ but said the pressure and experience had undoubtedly helped her in her current role.

“It’s mostly the influence of the people I’ve met and worked with along the way that have helped. They’ve all had different theories, practices and approaches to patients and management and obviously this is something I carry with me from wherever I’ve worked,” she said.

“As a working mum, it’s a juggle some days. You’re rushing from A to B and from C to D and thankfully I have a very capable and hard-working Head of Operations who’s as important to the team as myself. The team is so important. We couldn’t do anything without the team.”

Georgiana was nominated by Christine Ivins, Customer Relationship Manager, who described her as a ‘true champion’ who is leading the way for the working mum.

“She has these unique qualities that she has been able to pass on to her teams through her mentoring, leadership and encouragement,” she added.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.

He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

”We take our hats off to them.”