UNC Lenoir employee recipient of Healthcare Heroes' national prize
Healthcare Heroes is a company-wide promotion that recognizes healthcare workers monthly in each market throughout the USA Today Network. One of the company's big winners for June is a healthcare worker in Lenoir County.
Smitty Smith, a cardiopulmonary secretary and administrative assistant for UNC Lenoir Healthcare, received a $5,000 national prize. Smith, a 44-year hospital veteran, was praised for her supportive and generous attitude.
The colleague who sent Smith’s nomination talked about her kind and courageous nature, saying for more than 40 years, Smith has been a shining star for Lenoir and a fantastic example of a Healthcare Hero.
“Smitty is the glue that keeps the cardiopulmonary department together. The respiratory therapists during this pandemic have had to endure many difficult times and situations. Smitty made sure we have had the items we have needed so we could treat the masses," her colleague said.
In addition, the colleague said Smith put herself on the frontline, scanning patients and visitors as they enter the hospital. A responsibility Smith did not need to take on but wanted to during the healthcare crisis.
Hospital staff came together to honor Smith at UNC Lenoir for the check presentation. When asked how she feels about being selected as a national honoree, Smith said, “That’s a huge, huge honor. I didn’t even know I was that important. I like to be in the background. It’s a little overwhelming, I mean it’s wonderful and it’s an honor, it’s great."
Smith went on to say the most satisfying part of her job is helping people, and that t’s the people she works with every day that help keep her going.
When asked how she keeps going every day to make such a positive impact on people, Smith said, “Well, you just go for it. The more you do, the better you want to do. We encourage each other every single day, help each other, pump each other up and just keep encouraging each other.”
The Healthcare Heroes' promotion resonates deeply with our communities and those in the healthcare sector. The campaign provides our community with an opportunity to publicly recognize the dedication, expertise, and selflessness of the healthcare workers in our community.
This article originally appeared on Kinston/Jones Free Press: UNC Lenoir employee recipient of Healthcare Heroes' national prize
