Maureen Smith has a long history of collaboration with the healthcare system subsequent to a rare disease diagnosis in childhood. For the past 25 years she has been involved in bringing a patient or citizen perspective on provincial, national and international advisory groups and committees. In Canada, she is an enthusiastic, committed patient partner on several patient-oriented research projects where she often works in close collaboration with researchers to lead or co-lead their patient engagement. Maureen is the Secretary of the Ontario’s SPOR Support Unit’s Board of Directors. In 2023 Maureen was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, a recognition of her expertise in patient engagement. Maureen proudly serves as the first person with lived experience on Canada’s Drug Agency Board of Directors.