We are thrilled to announce our first OET Global Ambassador – May Parsons.
May is a proud Filipina nurse and industry leader based in the UK, who gained prominence for administering the first COVID-19 vaccination worldwide in December 2020.
May was recognised for this achievement and her previous 20 years of service in the NHS by being awarded the George Cross by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The George Cross is the highest honour awarded to civilians in the UK, and May is the first Filipino to receive the award.
A Manila native, May graduated from the UST College of Nursing in 2000 and has lived in the UK and worked for the NHS for over 20 years. She is currently the Associate Chief Nurse and the Director for Risk, Governance and Compliance in Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
We have chosen May as our first Global Ambassador as her journey, achievements, and leadership within the healthcare industry perfectly demonstrate the values and mission of our organisation. May’s story is aspirational but grounded within hard work, determination, and understanding of the importance of communication within healthcare settings.
May’s achievements would not have been possible without strong English skills, which have equipped her to deliver compassionate, effective care, to lead teams, and to serve as a valued mentor.
May experiences and her passion for professional success, teamwork and excellent patient care make her an ideal ambassador.
“I want to encourage healthcare professionals to be equipped with the foundational skills, like language mastery, for a fulfilling career wherever it takes you. Having excellent command of medical English can open new doors of opportunities on the global stage while allowing healthcare workers to connect deeper with their patients and deliver impeccable care,” said May.
In late 2023, our CEO Sujata Stead and May attended a conference in the Philippines, and made the first announcement of May’s ambassadorship to the Filipino healthcare industry in attendance.
In Sujata’s words, “May is a true inspiration and role model for the next generation of nurses in the Philippines and around the world. She represents a shining example of what can be achieved with tenacity, a passionate commitment to make the world a better place, and of course with impeccable communication skills.”
As our Global Ambassador, May will provide valuable advice and insights to our global audience of healthcare professionals, while also raising awareness about how OET can support them in their journey to be globally competent professionals.
"I feel really privileged to be the OET Global Ambassador. I want to inspire healthcare professionals to think about developing themselves, and to work on building relationships and connections with their patients and the people they work alongside,” said May.