Mary June Amora, hotel staff nurse at the Doha Marriott Hotel, was last night rewarded for her diligent and dedicated service by being named as the Unsung Hero of the Year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards.
Always one of the most popular awards of the night, this year's award was sponsored by A.Ronai LLC and was presented by Ronai managing director Gavin Dodd.
This year’s judges praised the high level of competition that came from large numbers of dedicated hoteliers across the region. Highly commended in this category was Subait Moosa, an 83-year old Omani national who has been serving coffee to guests at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain for 40 years, creating a unique cultural experience for everyone that walks through the hotel’s doors.
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Speaking after receiving her award Amora said: “I’m really surprised to be honoured in this way, as I wasn’t expecting my work to be highlighted this way at all. But to win feels great and this will motivate me when I go back to the hotel and carry on my work.”
According to awards judges, Amora was recognised for all her hard work and dedication at the Doha Marriott Hotel including transforming the nurse’s office into a private clinic with the best equipment available, rolling out first aid training and streamlined medical insurance procedures.
But the judges were most in awe of the great resolve June has showed through some very difficult, emotional and testing situations over the past year, supporting injured and grieving colleagues after a fatal bus crash involving the hotel’s staff in April. She’s nursed colleagues back to health, made countless hospital and home visits, and shown great empathy with her team, overcoming language barriers and cultural differences to put others needs before her own.
“Having to see my friends so physically affected, I was really struggling emotionally, but I had to stay strong in front of them to help them. Some of them are still healing from the accident and I’m trying to help them still as best I can,” said Mary.
“In Doha we don’t have any family, we are all expats so we have to become each other’s family and help each other. That is why I don’t mind if I have to work a little late or if I have people calling me at home. I just try my best and rely on the help of all my colleagues as well,” she added.
June began her nursing career by enrolling at the San Carlos University in the Philippines and graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science and nursing degree, following which she enrolled in emergency training services in 2007 and after receiving her certification in Emergency Medical services (EMS). June became a member of the Doha Marriott team in 2009 as the hotels dedicated staff nurse, working with associates from all parts of the globe.
Speaking about Amora’s work at the hotel during the nomination process, Mitra Neupane, the hotel’s laundry valet said “Since being diagnosed with cancer in June 2013, June has been doing a great job helping me through. June came with me to the hospital to get all the information and guidance I needed for my treatment. June was always in contact with me at home to follow up with me and assisting me to my appointments. She has been dedicated to helping me, with no benefit to herself. I would like to thank her for her outstanding job and the support I received from her during my treatment.”
Below is the full shortlist for the Unsung Hero of the Year Award, while full details including why each were chosen can be found here:
Subait Moosa, Coffee Server, Crowne Plaza Bahrain
Samuel Tagoe, Life Guard, DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah
Sher Andaz Khan, Team Driver, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Mary June Amora, Hotel Staff Nurse, Doha Marriott
Hubert Sebastien Joseph Xavier, Room Service Team Leader, Al Maha, A Luxury Collection, Desert Resort and Spa
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