Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is excited to announce the winners of this year’s Exceptional Healer Awards.
Launched in 2017, the award aims to recognize excellence by a physician, nurse and/or allied health professional at KHSC, who demonstrates the core concepts of patient and family-centred care. Individuals are nominated by KHSC patients, and winners are selected by members of KHSC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC).
This year’s winners are Dr. Garth Smith (KidsInclusive) and RN Lisa Thibeault (Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program).
“The humility, contagious positive energy and good sense of humour shown by this year’s winners make a significant difference to their patients,” says Sue Bedell, founder of the Exceptional Healer Award and member of PFAC. “I am in awe of the simple human kindness they show every day.”
Learn more about this year’s winners below:
Dr. Garth Smith: KidsInclusive
The patient who nominated Dr. Smith says he has been their family's angel for many years. Throughout clinical appointments he made them feel at home, as though the clinic was a place of acceptance and family-oriented positivity. Somewhere to debrief daily struggles and go over any medical concerns.
“We never left a clinical appointment, not being able to have fun or a good laugh, and we always look forward to our next appointment. Dr. Smith and his team at KidsInclusive are amazing, we couldn't have gone all these years without the support and the amazing care he has provided for our family.”
Dr. Smith’s career has always been motivated primarily by love for his patients and a desire to help them to realize their potential.
“While totally unexpected, it is an honour to receive this lovely award,” says Dr. Smith. “This award means everything to me as it validates what I have strived to do and gives me a degree of satisfaction that my efforts have been recognized by those that matter most to me in my more than 35 years of practice.”
RN Lisa Thibeault – Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program:
The patient who nominated Lisa wishes everyone could experience having a nurse like her.
“Whether it is a simple scheduled clinic visit, or an emergency room trip, there is no one I feel more confident, and comfortable with my care than Lisa. She was the biggest support for my family during my cancer diagnosis. I have been an inpatient at KGH many times throughout my life and I can confidently say there is no one more deserving of this award than Lisa.”
Lisa’s motivation to provide a high level of quality patient-centered care stems from a deep sense of compassion, empathy, and dedication to helping others.
“I’m driven by the desire to make a positive impact in my patient’s life. Knowing that my actions contribute to the well-being and comfort of our bleeding disorders patients is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “I find satisfaction in building trust and rapport with my patients. I feel that empathy and compassion play a significant role in providing high level patient-centered care as those qualities are at the core of a successful nurse-patient relationship, which is built on trust. Receiving the Exceptional Healer Award is an incredible honour and deeply meaningful to me.”
To learn more about KHSC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, click here.
