A Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) nurse known for her calm and reassuring approach in the operating theatre has won a prestigious nursing award.
Marisa Smith, an operating room nurse at the Ouellette campus, has been named the recipient of the 18th Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Lois Fairley Nursing Award.
Smith is being recognized for her clinical expertise, as well as her ability to ease patients' anxiety in the operating room and ensure all procedures are handled safely and efficiently.
"As a patient advocate, Marisa is relentless in ensuring every voice is heard, especially those who cannot speak for themselves," said Smith's colleague, Dayna Copp. "She is meticulous in safeguarding patient dignity and comfort, often taking the time to personally connect with families and walk them through procedures, easing fears and building trust. Her compassion extends beyond duty. She treats every patient like she would want her own family to be treated."
Smith has also served as a frequent mentor for newer nurses.
The award is named after Lois Fairley, a nurse at Windsor's Grace Hospital for almost four decades until her retirement in 1993.
Fairley died in 2007. The award, first given to Windsor-Essex nurses in 2008, goes to a nurse who has demonstrated care, compassion, and empathy for patients and colleagues.
Smith is the eighth WRH nurse to receive the award. The prizes for 2020 and 2021 were given to all Windsor-Essex nurses for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.