Debbie Jones, who has blazed a trail for diabetes on the world stage, was yesterday named as Nurse of the Year by Bermuda Nurses' Association (BNA).

And with typical modesty, she said the praise should go to her colleagues who work with her researching diabetes.

Mrs Jones, who founded Bermuda Diabetes Association in 1979, was the first woman and the first Bermudian to be named chairwoman of the North American region of the International Diabetes Federation.

"Debbie is a nurse with compassion, integrity and a wealth of knowledge about her area of expertise," said BNA chair Judith Richardson, presenting the award yesterday at La Coquille restaurant.

"She is committed to excellence and advocacy with each patient she counsels. She serves as a role model to both her peers and colleagues.

"She is an exemplary nurse in every level of care - from her bedside counselling to community advocate, to international leader. Debbie Jones is without a doubt, the Bermuda Nurses' Association Nurse of the Year."

After founding the BDA in 1979, she helped launch the Diabetes Epidemiology Study in 1995 to assess the prevalence of the disease on the Island.

In 1998 she succeeded in improving the Diabetes Education Centre in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

And in 2001, she convinced McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, to include Bermuda in the DREAM international trial to investigate diabetes.

"Debbie's selflessness and ingenuity has made the trial a success. It has definitely put Bermuda on the map for future research endeavours," said Mrs Richardson.

Mrs Jones told colleagues at the BNA lunch: "This is an incredible shock and honour.

"No one does these things by themselves and it has been a privilege to work with the most wonderful group of people anyone could imagine working with, and it is these people who make it.

"The people in the Diabetes Centre are the most wonderful people you can imagine. I love coming to work every day and coming to work with these people, and the DREAM team trial people are the best in the world. It is these people who made this."

Mrs Jones won airline tickets, brunch vouchers and a watch from Crissons as her prize.