Sharon Smyth Okana

Ms. Smyth Okana has over 37 years of experience in clinical service management and nursing. She served as Director of Surgical Services at Dr. Georges L. Dumont University Hospital Centre, then as Regional Director of Surgical Services and Medical Device Reprocessing Units for the Network for over a decade. For the past five years, she has held the position of Vice-President of Nursing and Client-Learner Programs. She is thoroughly familiar with the challenges facing the Network.

Throughout her career, Ms. Smyth Okana has been closely involved in the integration and harmonization of clinical services and programs, as well as the modernization of surgical services, medical device reprocessing units, nursing, and client-learner programs.

Ms. Smyth Okana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Sciences and a certificate in Health Ethics, Human Rights, and Morality from the University of Moncton. She has also completed Lean training. She has received numerous awards, including the Excellence in Patient Safety Award in 2013, the Outstanding Care: Preoperative Clinical Implementation Award in 2008, and the Excellence in Nursing Management Award in 1999. Additionally, she served on the disciplinary committee of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and in nature.