At a recent Foundation event, keynote speaker Dr. Smriti Nayan, facial reconstructive surgeon at CMH, delivered an empowering message, “you may not be holding the scalpel, but you are part of the healing.”
Born in Kanpur, India, and raised in Montreal, Dr. Nayan’s journey to medicine was shaped by a family legacy of service and a childhood dream nurtured by supportive parents. “Like many immigrants, we arrived in Canada with hope, grit, and a commitment to give back to the country we now call home.” This sense of purpose led her through 13 years of postgraduate training and into the operating rooms of CMH.
“You may not be holding the scalpel, but you are part of the healing.”
— Dr. Smriti Nayan
Now a surgeon, educator, and a loving wife and parent, Dr. Nayan spoke of the deeply personal nature of her work. She shared that her specialty involves skin cancer care, restoring form and function to patients after trauma or illness.
While Dr. Nayan is often introduced as a surgeon, she also sees herself as a community builder. Reinforcing to the audience that healing extends far beyond the hands of the surgeon. “In the OR, I hold someone’s face in my hands, but I never do it alone. It takes a team. It takes a community.”
For her, healing extends far beyond the surgical table. It includes not only healthcare professionals but also donors, supporters, and volunteers, all of whom contribute to the success of our hospital.
Over her 10 years at CMH, Dr. Nayan has seen firsthand how education, mentorship, and patient care are made possible by community generosity. “CMH might be smaller in size, but this community hospital is equally powerful in impact,” she shares. “This hospital is a place where care is personal. Where education is hands-on. Where service is shared, between professionals, families, and with the community.”
With CMHF aiming to raise over $5 million annually for hospital equipment, Dr. Nayan’s message underscores the importance of every contribution. “You may not be holding the scalpel,” she told the room, “but you are absolutely part of the healing that happens here.”
By supporting the Foundation, you are helping shape a Future Ready CMH, and a community where care, compassion, and excellence are all available close to home.
Some photos from our annual Ambassador event.
