asthma care.

And she was presented with a special cup and other gifts by her professional peers to mark her contribution to the profession in Bermuda. Ms Boden -- who works at the Smith's Parish-based Nurses' Practice -- admitted she was surprised to be selected.

She said: "I'm delighted to get it -- I didn't expect it and it's very exciting.'' Ms Boden added the Diploma in Asthma Care she set up had "brought nurses together, working as a team, which is what we have to do -- we had nurses from the community, the hospital and the prisons''.

The award ceremony marks the start of Nurses' Week 1999, which involves special events for nurses, health drives in the community and a food drive to help those in need.

King Edward Intensive Care Unit nurse Myrian Balitian-Dill, chairman of the Nurses Week committee, told the audience at the awards ceremony that Ms Boden was a clear winner.

"Most recently, she has almost single-handedly coordinated the first Diploma in Asthma Care -- she has brought in nurses from the National Asthma and Respiratory Training Centre in the UK to equip 50 nurses in Bermuda, from doctors' offices, ward nurses, emergency, ICU and community health nurses, on asthma.'' Ms Balitian-Dill added: "Asthma care will never be the same -- her vision of a coordinated, consistent and up-to-date practice will help Bermuda's population with asthma morbidity and mortality. No-one should have to die of asthma.'' She said Ms Boden was "truly a role model for nursing'' andwould continue to be exemplary in years to come.