Meet your neighbor: Sharon Smith

Published 2:58 pm Thursday, March 21, 2013

Prissy, the cat is a full time resident at Lakeside Hospice who participates in therapy treatment for patients receiving hospice care. Smith also brings her dog to work with her. Animals provide a source of comfort and reassurance for patients.

Upon entering Lakeside Hospice, the first thing to catch a visitor’s attention is the section of wall dedicated to awards that the not-for-profit and faith-based organization has received. The newest one hangs proudly among them: the Pell City Rotary Club’s Vocational Service Award, given to the executive director, Sharon Smith. The second thing to catch a visitor’s attention is the dog and cat that wander the halls of Lakeside.

“This is the biggest honor I’ve had here,” Smith said of her award. “But it’s everybody’s.  The staff and board does so much work and I couldn’t do it without them.”

Smith, who has been in the nursing field for 34 years, goes above and beyond in all areas of her life, from career to family. Upon meeting Smith, it is evident that she is a rare individual and there is much more to her besides a plaque.

What is Hospice? “To qualify for Hospice, the patient must be diagnosed by a physician as having six months or less to live with a condition such as cancer, heart or lung diseases or failure to thrive,” Smith explains. “Hospice focuses on helping patients and their families feel good and work through depression, while also instructing them on such things as nutrition and medication. On average, Hospice patients live 3 months longer than other patients.”

Her motivation to work at Lakeside Hospice: “When I began nursing I worked mostly with babies, but I also liked providing home health care and geriatrics. I was a field nurse with Hospice for a year and it was very enlightening. This was a whole realm of nursing I had not experienced.”

A unique approach to therapy: “We use animals for therapy with the patients. Prissy, the cat, is a full-time resident at Lakeside. My dog, Lily, is also here with me a lot.”

Why she loves it: “Working with Hospice patients you recognize your own mortality, and it puts you in touch with your spirituality. It’s not about death, though, it’s about celebrating life and finding peace.”

Most challenging part of the job: “It is very time-consuming, but I don’t begrudge that at all. While it has interfered with my life before, the hours are pretty flexible and my family is very tolerant.”

Most rewarding part of the job: “Being able to see the difference being made.”

Volunteering: “Lakeside Hospice has about 30 volunteers right now. They do everything from cook for events to read to patients. We’ve had someone to dress up as Santa Claus before for special events. We also take money donations.”

Advice to prospective nurses: “Nursing is an awesome career. You will give a lot of yourself, but you always get more back. I don’t think most kids are given an opportunity to explore their options. Do some soul-searching, volunteer at different places and find your niche.”

When she’s not on the clock: “My husband and I own a farm and I love being outdoors. My children and I are always together on the weekends. My daughter is a junior at Victory Christian and my son is a student at the Wadley campus of Southern Union. They are very smart and have considered careers in nursing as well.”

If she was stranded on a desert island with one book, one CD and one last meal, what would those be? “I would have the Bible because I should read it more, a Journey CD because I love music, and a Milo’s hamburger with onions.”

On a future career: “I always joke that when I get to Heaven, God will let me park cars because they don’t bleed, they don’t talk back and there is not much thinking involved.”