Renee Smith
May 2026
Renee
Smith
,
BSN, RN
4 West – Congestive Heart Failure / Chronic Care Unit
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis
Richmond Heights
,
MO
United States
Her legacy is one of dedication, kindness, and excellence.
Renee has consistently fostered a culture of excellence and innovation throughout her 21 years at SSM Health. One example of her commitment to innovation is her active role in improvement initiatives within the unit. She not only participates in charge nurse and team meetings, but she also provides thoughtful feedback that has helped shape process improvements and foster consistency in care delivery.
Her willingness to adopt and teach evidence-based practices ensures the team stays aligned with the highest standards of care. Renee also furthers the profession by continuing her own education; she regularly attends the annual Neuroscience Summit to remain current on advancements in neurological nursing and brings that knowledge back to share with her team.
Renee is a natural mentor. She takes pride in training and supporting new nurses and rising leaders, ensuring they feel confident and prepared. She leads by example, modeling professionalism, compassion, and excellence in every interaction. Personally, I recall working night shift with Renee about seven years ago. Watching her lead the shift with calm, grace, and confidence inspired me to become a charge nurse myself. She was always organized, positive, supportive, and approachable, characteristics that many nurses still admire and try to emulate. Her ability to make staff feel empowered and valued has positively impacted nurse retention and morale on the unit.
Renee’s communication skills are exceptional. She is respectful, clear, and compassionate in her interactions with patients, families, and colleagues alike. Her ability to de-escalate tense situations, whether with patients or during family conflicts, is something the team deeply values. She listens without judgment, explains clinical information clearly, and always advocates for what’s best for the patient. Her collaborative nature creates an environment of trust, safety, and professionalism, making her a true partner in patient care.
A patient’s family member came to visit overnight because she had concerns about her mother’s care. The visitor was frustrated and vocal about not wanting the nurse or care partner assigned to her mother back in her room. Renee was able to escalate the situation and care for the patient for the remainder of the night. The patient and her daughter were very appreciative.
Renee holds herself and her team to high standards. She takes ownership of her responsibilities as a charge nurse and is proactive about resolving issues before they escalate. Whether it’s ensuring appropriate staffing, coordinating care during high-acuity shifts, or addressing safety concerns, Renee follows through on every detail. She is frequently involved in implementing improvement strategies and communicates outcomes effectively with leadership and staff. Her attention to detail and commitment to seeing things through make her a reliable and trustworthy leader.
Renee lives out the SSM Health mission through her daily actions. She extends her impact beyond the hospital by volunteering at flu clinics, where she has administered vaccines to both patients and employees. She has also volunteered her time to support mask-fitting for employee testing during critical times. Additionally, Renee participates in community awareness walks for stroke, heart health, and breast cancer, demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of those we serve. Her compassionate care, professional leadership, and community involvement are clear reflections of our mission in action.
Renee is the kind of nurse who leaves a lasting impression, not just on patients, but on everyone who has the honor of working with her. Over her 21-year career at SSM Health, she has remained a steadfast example of professionalism, compassion, and leadership. As a night shift charge nurse, she brings calm to chaos, clarity to confusion, and confidence to every shift.
Her ability to de-escalate high-stress situations with patients or families is nothing short of remarkable. She communicates with empathy, listens deeply, and always advocates for what is right. Her leadership style is supportive and empowering. She does not just manage a team, she builds it.
Renee’s impact on other nurses cannot be overstated. I remember clearly the nights I worked with her about seven years ago. She was calm, organized, knowledgeable, and always had a positive attitude, no matter what the night brought. I left those shifts feeling inspired, and she played a major role in my decision to pursue a charge nurse role myself. And I am not the only one; many nurses still say how much they look forward to working with her and how supported they feel under her leadership.
She takes her responsibility to patients and the profession seriously. Renee continues her education by attending the annual Neuroscience Summit and brings that knowledge back to improve the care we deliver. She participates in charge nurse meetings and town halls, lending her voice to ensure the team stays on track with our shared goals.
She volunteers her time in the community, whether it is administering flu vaccines, assisting with employee mask fittings, or walking in support of stroke, heart, or breast cancer awareness. Renee is a nurse who truly lives the mission of SSM Health. She cares deeply, leads thoughtfully, and serves with her whole heart.
Her legacy is one of dedication, kindness, and excellence. Renee is more than deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, and I am proud to recognize her extraordinary contributions to nursing, our team, and our community.
Her willingness to adopt and teach evidence-based practices ensures the team stays aligned with the highest standards of care. Renee also furthers the profession by continuing her own education; she regularly attends the annual Neuroscience Summit to remain current on advancements in neurological nursing and brings that knowledge back to share with her team.
Renee is a natural mentor. She takes pride in training and supporting new nurses and rising leaders, ensuring they feel confident and prepared. She leads by example, modeling professionalism, compassion, and excellence in every interaction. Personally, I recall working night shift with Renee about seven years ago. Watching her lead the shift with calm, grace, and confidence inspired me to become a charge nurse myself. She was always organized, positive, supportive, and approachable, characteristics that many nurses still admire and try to emulate. Her ability to make staff feel empowered and valued has positively impacted nurse retention and morale on the unit.
Renee’s communication skills are exceptional. She is respectful, clear, and compassionate in her interactions with patients, families, and colleagues alike. Her ability to de-escalate tense situations, whether with patients or during family conflicts, is something the team deeply values. She listens without judgment, explains clinical information clearly, and always advocates for what’s best for the patient. Her collaborative nature creates an environment of trust, safety, and professionalism, making her a true partner in patient care.
A patient’s family member came to visit overnight because she had concerns about her mother’s care. The visitor was frustrated and vocal about not wanting the nurse or care partner assigned to her mother back in her room. Renee was able to escalate the situation and care for the patient for the remainder of the night. The patient and her daughter were very appreciative.
Renee holds herself and her team to high standards. She takes ownership of her responsibilities as a charge nurse and is proactive about resolving issues before they escalate. Whether it’s ensuring appropriate staffing, coordinating care during high-acuity shifts, or addressing safety concerns, Renee follows through on every detail. She is frequently involved in implementing improvement strategies and communicates outcomes effectively with leadership and staff. Her attention to detail and commitment to seeing things through make her a reliable and trustworthy leader.
Renee lives out the SSM Health mission through her daily actions. She extends her impact beyond the hospital by volunteering at flu clinics, where she has administered vaccines to both patients and employees. She has also volunteered her time to support mask-fitting for employee testing during critical times. Additionally, Renee participates in community awareness walks for stroke, heart health, and breast cancer, demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of those we serve. Her compassionate care, professional leadership, and community involvement are clear reflections of our mission in action.
Renee is the kind of nurse who leaves a lasting impression, not just on patients, but on everyone who has the honor of working with her. Over her 21-year career at SSM Health, she has remained a steadfast example of professionalism, compassion, and leadership. As a night shift charge nurse, she brings calm to chaos, clarity to confusion, and confidence to every shift.
Her ability to de-escalate high-stress situations with patients or families is nothing short of remarkable. She communicates with empathy, listens deeply, and always advocates for what is right. Her leadership style is supportive and empowering. She does not just manage a team, she builds it.
Renee’s impact on other nurses cannot be overstated. I remember clearly the nights I worked with her about seven years ago. She was calm, organized, knowledgeable, and always had a positive attitude, no matter what the night brought. I left those shifts feeling inspired, and she played a major role in my decision to pursue a charge nurse role myself. And I am not the only one; many nurses still say how much they look forward to working with her and how supported they feel under her leadership.
She takes her responsibility to patients and the profession seriously. Renee continues her education by attending the annual Neuroscience Summit and brings that knowledge back to improve the care we deliver. She participates in charge nurse meetings and town halls, lending her voice to ensure the team stays on track with our shared goals.
She volunteers her time in the community, whether it is administering flu vaccines, assisting with employee mask fittings, or walking in support of stroke, heart, or breast cancer awareness. Renee is a nurse who truly lives the mission of SSM Health. She cares deeply, leads thoughtfully, and serves with her whole heart.
Her legacy is one of dedication, kindness, and excellence. Renee is more than deserving of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, and I am proud to recognize her extraordinary contributions to nursing, our team, and our community.