By Thelma Roach-Serry, BSN, RN, NE-BC

Tawanna Smith MSN, RN, CRRN has worked as a Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder (SCI&D) nurse for over 17 years at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) in Richmond, Virginia. Ms. Smith was a staff/bedside nurse on unit IU before transferring to Spinal Cord Injury Home Care in 2015. She has been a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) since 2015. 

Smith is a proud Army Veteran who enjoys giving back to Veterans who have served this country. 

Ms. Smith is the mother of two wonderful children, T.J. and Tia, and a proud first time “Gigi” to baby Frankie. Smith’s children followed in their mother’s footsteps — T.J. is a Nurse Practitioner, Tia is a Traveling Registered Nurse. 

Ms. Smith obtained an Associate in Science Degree from John Tyler Community College in 2010, after being a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 7 years. She earned her BSN (2014) and graduated in May 2022 with a Master of Science in Nursing degree, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Ms. Smith has enjoyed being an active member of NOVA through the years and is looking forward to new adventures that the organization offers. Ms. Smith was the recipient of the 2018 NOVA Profession Nurse Award for Clinical Excellence. She professes to be a lifelong learner and aspires to continue her nursing education/career.

Ms. Smith enjoyed taking a relaxing cruise and touring the tropical islands once or twice a year prior to COVID-19.  She hopes to start traveling again soon.