Award-winning Windsor nurse ‘fell in love’ with caring for patients
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Enjoying a career “that I fell in love with,” Windsor Regional Hospital operating room nurse Marisa Smith was honoured Tuesday with this year’s Lois Fairley Nurse of the Year community service award.
“I’m extremely, eternally grateful,” Smith said during presentation of the 18th annual award at Windsor Regional’s Ouellette campus.
“I really love people and I care about people — it fills my cup,” she said, reflecting on her eight-year career as a registered practical nurse (RPN).
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The Lois Fairley Nursing Award recognizes and honours nurses who go above and beyond in providing care to the Windsor-Essex community.
Winners are nominated by community members and selected by the Windsor-Essex chapter of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO).
Smith was nominated by friend and former classmate Dayna Copp.
After working at Erie Shoes HealthCare for nearly six years, Smith transitioned to her most recent role as an operating room nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital.
In the OR, Smith supports her patients when they are at their most vulnerable — under anesthesia and in surgery.
“I’m a scrub nurse,” Smith explained.
“I’m setting up your surgery, I’m with the doctor every step of the way while they’re operating on you to make sure that your body is comfortable, and that you are being treated with dignity and respect.”
Crystal Hepburn, president of the Windsor-Essex chapter of the RNAO, said nurses who provide bedside care are more visible to the public and therefore tend to receive more nominations. But that does not diminish the vital role carried out by operating room nurses, she said.
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