The Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest Red Cross award for nurses and voluntary nursing aides.
Named after the famed British nurse, it honours people who’ve distinguished themselves in times of peace or war through:
Exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick, or disabled, or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster.
Exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in public health or nursing education.
The medal is awarded every two years to 50 people across the world. Since 1920, 31 New Zealand Red Cross nurses and voluntary nursing aides have been awarded the medal.