Nurse of the Year Empowering Women Through ‘IWIN’ Project

LASCO/NAJ Nurse of the Year 2025, Fione Collins, through her ‘Inspiring Women Igniting Newness (IWIN) Project’ is empowering women to rise above their personal and economic challenges and transform their lives.

The initiative, which offers financial assistance to women and girls ages 15 and older, is making a meaningful impact, one life at a time.

At its core, IWIN is about second chances, resilience, and the transformative power of support.

At the official launch held recently at the Christal Conference Centre in Manchester, four beneficiaries – two institutions and two individuals – each received $100,000.

Nurse Collins, who is Deputy Director of Nursing Services at the hospital, said that the initiative is in recognition of the realities many women face, the unexpected hardships that can derail dreams and shake confidence.

“Challenges or bad chapter experiences along life’s journey can negatively impact one’s ability to attain their true life’s plenitude, but this narrative does not have to define you,” she says, emphasising that adversity, while painful, can be a teacher rather than a life sentence.

Through IWIN, Nurse Collins is urging women to embrace their struggles, learn from them, and use those lessons as steppingstones toward a more fulfilling future.

The initiative, developed under her tenure as Nurse of the Year through the Nurses Association of Jamaica in collaboration with the LASCO Chin Foundation, focuses on building resilience, promoting mental health awareness, and fostering supportive networks among women.

The four recipients reflect the diverse realities of Jamaican women and girls.

They are the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) in Mandeville, to bolster the organisation’s mission to provide guidance, stability, and opportunity for young women navigating early motherhood; YADEL Home for Girls in Old Harbour, a safe haven for vulnerable girls in need of protection and rehabilitation; Edwin Allen High School student, Kiyanna Sappleton, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing; and a staff member at Percy Junor Hospital who recently lost her home in a fire.

“These may seem like small gestures,” Nurse Collins noted, “but little is much when given with heart.”

NAJ President, Dawn Marie Richards, in congratulating the beneficiaries, encouraged them to adopt a mindset of perseverance and self-belief.

Drawing on inspirational quotes, she noted that progress is not always about giant leaps. “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward,” she urged.

Her message reinforces the essence of IWIN – progress, no matter how small, is still progress, underscoring that success is not about perfection, but persistence.

A major pillar of the IWIN initiative is mental health advocacy, an area that remains stigmatised in many communities.

Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Nursing, Sheryl Garriques Lloyd, delivered an appeal for cultural change in how emotional distress is perceived.

“If you have any kind of emotional distress, it is not a failure,” she pointed out. “We need to break the silence and be part of the conversation,” she said.

She highlighted the unique pressures women face, balancing professional responsibilities, caregiving roles, and societal expectations, all of which can contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Mrs. Garriques Lloyd called for greater self-awareness and self-care practices, urging women to recognise when they need help and to seek it without shame.

She emphasised that mental health is a continuous journey, not a one-time destination, and encouraged simple daily actions such as setting boundaries, taking time to rest, and seeking professional support when necessary.

Her message was clear; caring for others should never come at the expense of caring for oneself.

Adding a spiritual dimension to the discussion, Pastor and Guidance Counsellor, Keturah Cross, noted that any women’s stories are marked by struggle, yet those very experiences often shape their capacity to lead and inspire.

“Your story does not disqualify you,” she declared. “It may actually be preparing you for your purpose”, she said.

Drawing from biblical narratives, she illustrated how adversity can produce strength, empathy, and leadership.

Pastor Cross encouraged women to view their lives not as a series of setbacks, but as a journey toward meaningful impact. She also emphasised that purpose is often found in small, everyday actions – encouraging someone in need, mentoring a young girl, or simply refusing to give up.

“Your life is not just about surviving challenges,” she said. “It is about transforming them into strength, wisdom, and impact.”

For the recipients, the support from IWIN is invaluable. Centre Manager at the WCJF, Donna Burton, expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting that the funding will enhance efforts to reintegrate young mothers into the education system.

Kiyanna Sappleton said that the assistance brings her closer to achieving a lifelong dream of serving others through nursing.

The launch event was not only a celebration of giving but also a call to action.

Nurse Collins said that the IWIN is not a one-time initiative, noting that fundraising activities are already underway to expand its reach, with a goal of raising $400,000 to support additional beneficiaries.

The project also aims to create safe spaces where women can share their experiences without fear of judgment, build networks of encouragement, and access resources for personal and professional growth.

Through its vibrant colours – purple for power, blue for confidence, green for new beginnings, and yellow for optimism – IWIN symbolises a holistic approach to empowerment. It is a reminder that strength is multifaceted and that healing, growth, and success are interconnected.

The message is that empowerment is not a solitary journey; it requires community, compassion, and collective effort. Whether through financial support, mentorship, or simply listening without judgment, every act of kindness contributes to a larger movement of change.

The IWIN Project is more than an initiative. It is a declaration that women’s stories matter, their struggles are valid, and their potential is limitless.

In the words echoed throughout the launch, there is always a second chance to succeed and sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity, one act of generosity, or one moment of encouragement to ignite newness and inspire a lifetime of impact.