Ms Dodd will travel to England this year to be presented with an International Health Professional of the Year Award from the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge.

The international award honours outstanding individuals in their field.

Ms Dodd was nominated for the prestigious award after being named in the 2009 Who’s Who List of Australian Women in March – one of 6000 - and having won an Australian of the Year Award for Regional South Australia.

An enrolled nurse at the Port Augusta Hospital, Ms Dodd said she was surprised and humbled by her nomination for the award.

“At first I thought it was scam or something … but then I went to mum after work later and we read the letter again together,” she said.

As a single, unemployed mother of four, Ms Dodd completed her nursing studies in 2002. She said the nomination was a real honour and she considered it something of a reward for her dedication and hard work.

“It was just such a surprise, I knew nothing about it at all.

“To be recognised, not just as an Aboriginal woman, but as a woman and as a nurse is wonderful.”

She will receive a commemorative sash of office, medal of excellence and a commemorative testimonial in a formal ceremony in Cambridge later this year.

She is preparing to take her proud mother, Maise, with her.

The Out of Hospital Strategy unit at the Port Augusta Hospital said the nomination highlights how fortunate their team is.

Clinical service co-ordinator Michelle Kuerschner said: “Laurel is so committed in her role and to Aboriginal health … and it shows in her everyday work ethic.

“She’s a leader in health care and in Aboriginal health here … and she’s led the way for so many others.

“It makes our work and our role so much more valuable having people like Laurel as part of the team.”

Ms Dodd is no stranger to national acclaim in her role as a nurse at the Port Augusta Hospital.

She was recognised as the 2002 NAIDOC National Apprentice of the Year, was named a top spot in the Australian Nursing Excellence Awards in the same year was and awarded a South Australian Local Hero award in 2005 for her work the Port Augusta community.

For more on Laurel’s story see Community FACES, Page 8