Meet Gayle Smith, a Registered Practical Nurse in the Mental Health Program. For her, caregiving runs deep. “It’s in my blood,” she says, proudly crediting her family’s influence.
Born in England to parents from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, Gayle grew up in Canada, staying connected to her roots through travel, family, and tradition. “My motto is ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’” she says, praising her mother for teaching her to believe in herself. These values shape her work as both a nurse and owner of Guyanese Fit Chick, a thriving local fitness business.
Surprisingly, nursing wasn’t her first choice in spite of her mother’s influence—a former Occupational Nurse at CMH. After a childhood visit to Freeport Hospital she was convinced it wasn’t for her. Years later, she joined CMH as a housekeeper—but life had other plans. While working in a nursing home in England, she discovered her passion for patient care. “I was fighting myself,” she admits, deciding to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “I came back to Canada and enrolled in nursing.”
Now, as a nurse, Gayle continues her family’s legacy. Inspired by her grandmother, who prayed for hospital patients every Sunday, and aunts who worked as nannies in the U.S., she knew she wanted to make a difference. “I wanted to care for patients, listen to their stories, understand their needs, and respect their families.”
For Gayle, Black History Month is about empowerment. “It’s about realizing our strength—our excellence. I’m proud of MY excellence and strive to educate others about our contributions.”
Thank you to Gayle for sharing her story.
Gayle visited is the owner of Guyanese Fit Chick and the creator of GWAN Move, a Caribbean fitness movement promoting health and wellness. Special thank you goes out to Gayle for visiting CMH to run two SOCA workout sessions, introducing staff to a new style of fitness.
Voices of CMH
The Voices of CMH initiative is a platform for staff, clinicians, and volunteers to share their stories. It encourages cultural exchange, fosters understanding, appreciation, respect, and diversity for others. By sharing their stories, CMH works to build stronger connections both with other staff, patients, visitors, and the community.
