Susan Smith, a longtime hospice professional and community advocate, was honored with the 12th Annual Dr. Alexander Nesbitt Commitment to Caring Award on April 14, 2026, during a ceremony held prior to a Living Will workshop at the Elder & Special Needs Resource Center in Williamsport.
The award was co-presented by Attorney Julieanne E. Steinbacher and Dr. Alexander Nesbitt, for whom the honor is named, and was established by Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak. The Dr. Alexander Nesbitt Commitment to Caring Award was developed in 2014 by the elder care law firm to recognize individuals who demonstrate extraordinary compassion and dedication to improving the lives of others.
According to Attorney Julieanne E. Steinbacher, the award recognizes “an individual in the community who shows an extraordinary commitment to caring that improves the lives of others.” That commitment has been evident throughout Susan Smith’s more than three decades of service in hospice and bereavement care.
Smith is a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing from Misericordia University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bloomsburg University. Her career spans leadership and clinical roles with organizations including Columbia Montour Home, Geisinger Hospice, LHC Group, UPMC Susquehanna, and Compassus Hospice, where she served as Executive Director from August 2022 through February 2026. She just started a new role with VNA/Health System in March of 2026.
Beyond her professional achievements, Smith is widely respected for her work supporting individuals and families through grief. She serves as Director of Camp Courage, a biannual camp dedicated to helping children who have lost loved ones. Through the camp, children are provided a safe and caring environment where they learn healthy ways to process grief and develop coping tools that continue to support them long after the camp experience. Smith also facilitates bereavement retreats for adults, further extending her commitment to compassionate care beyond traditional clinical settings.
The presentation reflected the spirit of the award itself—recognizing quiet, consistent acts of compassion that make a profound and lasting impact on others. Smith was joined by colleagues, community members, and award presenters who gathered to celebrate her lifetime of service and dedication. The award also comes with a $500 donation to a nonprofit of Smith’s choice.
The Dr. Alexander Nesbitt Commitment to Caring Award continues to honor community members whose empathy, leadership, and devotion to others embody its mission. Susan Smith’s career and service stand as a powerful example of that commitment.
