RICHMOND, Va.—The Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition (MARC) has selected John C. Smith, Jr., as its 2011 “Patient of the Year” for the Network 5 region, which encompasses Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
Smith was nominated for this award by the staff at his local dialysis facility, RAI Care Center – West Leigh Richmond, because of his exemplary behavior and commitment to his own care.
He began receiving dialysis treatments nearly 30 years ago after his kidneys failed to function properly. After enduring two unsuccessful kidney transplants, he is currently receiving dialysis at the Leigh Street facility where he has become a valuable resource for the other patients. Despite the rigorous routine of in-center hemodialysis, Smith has assisted fellow patients with transportation, organized food relief programs and even mentored several male patients in a support group.
Accompanied by his wife, Smith accepted the award at MARC’s 2011 Spring Council Meeting on May 12 in Falls Church, Va., during a luncheon ceremony. The nonprofit organization’s Executive Director, Nancy Armistead, MPA, was onsite to present Smith with an engraved trophy for his accomplishment. During the presentation, Armistead commented: “John is described by his facility as a person of kindness and having a supportive nature. I just can’t think of anything nicer to say about someone.”
The crowd of 250 dialysis facility staff members and patients honored Smith with a standing ovation as he rose to accept his award.
MARC’s “Patient of the Year” award was first given to a distinguished dialysis patient at its 2010 Spring Council Meeting in Fredericksburg, Va. In addition to recognizing an exemplary patient, MARC also acknowledges a dedicated dialysis facility staff member each year with its Shelia Dabney Memorial Award, which was named in honor of their beloved staff member who passed away in 2007 from breast cancer.
