UK honors Filipino nurse in London terror attack

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino nurse has been conferred Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth for her work in treating the victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack in 2017.

Joy Ongcachuy, who works at The Royal London Hospital, received the award last Dec. 29 along with 42 other individuals who played crucial roles in responding to major terror incidents in 2017.

The OBE is given to those with “major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.”

British Ambassador Daniel Pruce congratulated Ongcachuy yesterday for her recognition.

“Many congratulations to Joy Ongcachuy for her richly deserved OBE in recognition of her work treating victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack in June 2017,” Pruce said on his official Twitter account.

Ongcachuy started working at The Royal London Hospital in 2002 as a scrub nurse. She was promoted to robotic lead nurse in 2017.

A terrorist plowed into the crowd and stabbed pedestrians on London Bridge on the night of June 3, 2017. Ongcachuy was among the first responders at The Royal London Hospital.

Ongcachuy lives in Stratford, London.

“I am glad I made the UK my home all those years ago. To be welcomed and recognized by Her Majesty is overwhelming, humbling and exciting all at once,” Ongcachuy was quoted in an article posted on the website of Barts Health NHS Trust in the UK on Dec. 29 last year.

Ongcachuy’s daughter, a nursing student at London South Bank University, will be joining her at The Royal London through placement in the A&E department this month, the article also said.