A lifelong journey of service and healing

Andrew Cameron's unwavering commitment to service guided him to the Red Cross, laying the foundation for his aspiration of becoming an aid worker. In 2021, Mr Cameron broadened his contribution to the nursing field by stepping into the Senior Lecturer in Primary Health Care Nursing role at Massey's Wellington campus.

Since 2005, he has made significant humanitarian contributions in various corners of the world including Kenya, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Sierra Leone, Georgia and remote areas of Australia.

Mr Cameron's exceptional service was internationally recognised in 2011 when he was awarded the prestigious International Florence Nightingale Medal on International Nurses Day.

He stands as the 25th New Zealander to receive this accolade in a century. Further recognition followed with the Order of Australia in 2013 and the Distinguished Service Award from Massey University in 2015.

Mr Cameron is currently serving in a military trauma ward in eastern Ukraine. In a region battling conflict, he provides invaluable support through his care for the wounded and physiotherapy, psychological aid and general nursing care.

He says his work is professionally very rewarding.

"It is professionally very rewarding. My heart is with the civilians and military victims; it feels like a unique privilege to care for the injured from this conflict. Every bit of help I can provide is deeply appreciated."

He credits Massey for giving him the foundational skills to undertake such challenging work.

"The knowledge in biosciences, evidence-based practice, integrated care and acute care skills I gained from Massey has been instrumental in managing this kind of work," he says.