Celebrating Katy Smyth: Rising Star Award Winner 2026
We are incredibly proud to share that Katy Smyth, from the Accelerate team, has been awarded the Rising Star Award by the Society of Tissue Viability, announced at their 2026 online awards celebration.
This award recognises individuals who are making an outstanding contribution to tissue viability and wound care early in their specialist journey – and Katy’s impact, commitment and courage make her a truly deserving recipient.
A brave step into a new field
Katy joined Accelerate following a 20+ year career in General Practice Nursing (GPN) and nurse education, where she was already highly respected as an experienced clinician and senior lecturer. Rather than remaining in a role where she was firmly established and recognised as being at the top of her field, Katy made the courageous decision to step into a new and challenging area of practice: wound healing.
Driven by frustration at the lack of attention given to wound care within general practice, Katy joined Accelerate in a one-year development post, determined to build specialist knowledge that could help improve care for patients with wounds and leg ulcers who too often experience sub-optimal treatment. It was not the easiest career path – but, as those who work with her know, Katy has never been someone who chooses the easy option.
Creating meaningful change
In the two and a half years since joining Accelerate, Katy has made a significant and lasting impact across the organisation.
She has led a challenging skin-tone bias project, with a clear target that at least 50% of teaching images used within Accelerate Academy feature darker skin tones. Katy is passionate about addressing inequity in clinical education and consistently challenges bias when it appears – ensuring that inclusivity is embedded, not overlooked.
Katy has also driven forward a detailed peer-review project across the organisation, ensuring vascular assessment skills remained robust and consistent following the release of NICE guidance on automated ABPI. This was a complex and daunting task for someone relatively new to the organisation, but Katy’s determination ensured it was done thoroughly and correctly.
Alongside this, as part of her role in the Royal College of Nursing GPN Forum Committee, Katy led on the development of a digital resource on identifying immediate and necessary lower limb care, which provides guidance and practical resources to support primary care nursing staff. Recognising that clinicians in general practice often struggled to access clear, patient-appropriate leg ulcer information, Katy ensured the guide clearly signposts to Legs Matter resources. This substantial piece of work followed a national webinar, which Katy co-presented, despite feeling understandably daunted – once again stepping outside her comfort zone to ensure others benefited from the work.
A clinician at heart
Katy is the epitome of a caring nurse and dedicated educator. Often working quietly and without seeking recognition, she consistently goes the extra mile for colleagues, learners and – most importantly – patients. Her work reflects a deep commitment to raising standards, improving equity, and supporting others to deliver the best possible care.
As her nomination stated, Katy is someone who brings change not for recognition, but because she believes patients and carers deserve better.
A very well-deserved recognition
The Rising Star Award shines a light on the passion, integrity and impact Katy brings to wound care and education. We are delighted to see her dedication recognised nationally and could not be prouder to have her as part of the Accelerate team.
Congratulations, Katy – this recognition is richly deserved, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.