About Michelle
Meet Michelle Smith, RPN, CRTWC
Michelle Smith is a Registered Practical Nurse, Certified Return to Work Coordinator, health and social advocate, author and community educator with more than 24 years of nursing experience.
Through JA Smith Consulting & Nursing Services, Michelle helps individuals and families better understand and navigate health care, caregiving, disability and workplace processes. Her approach combines professional experience, practical education and culturally competent advocacy, recognizing that health does not happen in isolation from family, work, income, housing, culture and community.
Experience that shaped the work
Michelle began her nursing career as a Registered Practical Nurse in 2002. Over the years, her work in health care, disability management, workers' compensation and return to work showed her how difficult systems can be to understand, even when services and resources are available.
Personal experiences as a caregiver, patient and family advocate further shaped her belief that people need more than information. They need information they can understand and use.
In 2011, Michelle founded JA Smith Consulting & Nursing Services, named after her children, Jessica and Anthony. The business grew from a simple belief: better understanding can help people participate more confidently in decisions affecting their health, family and work.
Expanding the advocacy
In 2015, Michelle expanded her community work through JA Nursing We Care Inc., a non profit focused on community education, advocacy, partnerships and outreach.
Michelle later earned her Certified Return to Work Coordinator designation through NIDMAR, expanding her knowledge and work in disability management, workplace accommodation and return to work processes.
Today
Today, Michelle continues to bring together nursing experience, health literacy, disability and return to work knowledge, cultural awareness and community advocacy.
Whether working one to one, educating an organization, speaking to a community audience or developing practical resources such as The Health Care Shield Workbook, the goal remains the same: help people better understand the systems around them and feel more confident navigating what comes next.
Recognition and credentials
The record behind the advocacy
- Registered Practical Nurse, 24+ years
- Certified Return to Work Coordinator, NIDMAR, 7+ years
- Founder, JA Smith Consulting & Nursing Services, 2011
- Founder, JA Nursing We Care Inc., 2015
- Top 100 Canadian Black Women to Watch, CIBWE, 2015
- Role Model and Achiever Award, Black Canadian Awards, 2016
- Contributor, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper
- Previous health education experience, 105.5 FM
- 314,000+ blog page views
- Author, The Health Care Shield Workbook
From the JA Nursing blog
From the JA Nursing blog
For years, Michelle has used JA Nursing In Toronto Streets to share health education, advocacy information and perspectives from her nursing and community work. Explore the blog and its archive of health and community content.
Our social impact
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Whether you are facing a health challenge, supporting a loved one, navigating disability benefits, returning to work after illness, or looking for someone to work with your organization.