Maureen Watt-Smit

Maureen has been nursing for over 30 years, and has worked in a variety of settings including community, ER, and ICU prior to moving to the oncology program at Grand River Hospital/Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRH/GRRCC) in Kitchener in 2003. Her initial focus in oncology was at the outpatient clinics as a Supportive Care Coordinator. In 2008 she acquired the Education Practice Lead role for the oncology program at GRH/GRRCC, providing education and practice support to nurses on the inpatient unit, the outpatient chemo suite and outpatient clinics. Her role expanded over the years to include participation in many oncology program activities including patient education and the development of the Patient Resource Centre at GRRCC. As part of her role, she was involved in many Cancer Care Ontario programs through GRRCC as Lead for Patient Education, Lead for the Psychosocial Oncology Program and Ontario Cancer Symptom Management Collaborative. Prior to retiring from GRH in 2018, Maureen worked as a Professional Practice Specialist at Grand River Hospital, using her expertise to develop and update policies, practices and nursing education toolkits for the hospital using a variety of teaching techniques and modalities. Maureen has worked part time and as a contract de Souza educator since 2012. She also worked as a contract tutor for level 4 BScN students.

Maureen graduated from the Registered Nursing Program at Conestoga College, completed a BScN from McMaster University, and a MN (teaching focus) from Athabasca University. She completed her de Souza Nurse designation in 2013, and has continued taking many de Souza courses including Psychosocial Oncology and Sexual Health Counselling in Cancer. Maureen completed LEAP education from PALLUM Canada Palliative Care in 2016. She previously was a member of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology and was Canadian Oncology Nurse certified through the Canadian Nurses Association.