Dr. Smith Employee Spotlight Fall 2009

In a way, Dr. Stephen Smith can credit his mother for his career choice.   Still, she had something a little different in mind.  As a child growing up in Washington DC, his mother told him he was going to grow up to be a doctor, probably a plastic surgeon, live in a large, cosmopolitan city and make a lot of money. 

Turns out, he is a family practice physician practicing in Society Hill, South Carolina – a  town with a population of a little over 700.   He says he came to the conclusion while in medical school that he wanted to live in a small town and practice family medicine for those who were in need.   He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and completed his residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals.

“I knew that family practice in a rural community was more my speed,” Dr. Smith smiles.  “It was a big deal at home for a while.   But, I knew this is where I needed to be.” 

Dr. Smith has been practicing medicine for 17 years.   He spent his first two years in private practice in Cheraw before joining CareSouth Carolina.  He’s been practicing in Society Hill ever since.  

“And, I will be here until I’m 65,” he says.   “A lot has changed over the years.   We still see a lot of people who need us, especially right now.    But, the technology is so much more a part of what we do than it was when I first started.”

He is now able to research medicines and illnesses on the computer.  In the past, he would spend hours looking through several medical books.

“And, at CareSouth, we have the tools to measure our work on quality.   I don’t think there is another doctor’s office that I’m aware of that can objectively tell you how well you are doing with your diabetic patients or your patients with hypertension or even with those dealing with behavioral health problems.”

Dr. Smith’s emphasis on quality care is reflected in the measures for his practice.  His patients continuously measure above and beyond national standards on blood pressure control, diabetes control, depression severity and others.

Dr. Smith actually served as medical director at CareSouth for 10 years.  Now, besides a very busy office practice, he also sees patients at three nursing homes in Cheraw.

“I really enjoy the nursing home patients,” he says.  “I am able to take my time and visit with each of them.  Plus, the good thing about the nursing home practice is that if I don’t finish seeing all my patients, I can always go back on Saturday.”

“The best thing about being a doctor,” he says, “is helping people and interacting with them. CareSouth Carolina is able to offer resources such as behavioral health and assistance with meds that I was unable to provide in a private practice. CareSouth also offers patients financial assistance through a sliding fee program.  It is nice to just concentrate on the patients and let someone else worry about the business side.” 

Ann Lewis, CEO at CareSouth Carolina, says Dr. Smith is one of those physicians who just simply fits at a community health center like CareSouth Carolina.  

“He really is a special kind of doctor.  It’s doctors like Dr. Smith who understand our mission to provide medical care to those who have no where else to turn, but are determined to provide that care with as much compassion, with as much quality, as the best practice out there.  He’s not satisfied with less than excellent care for his patients.  I think Dr. Smith understands his work, and he may not say this directly - as a calling.”  

An active member of Calvary Baptist Church, Dr. Smith lives in Cheraw with his wife, Melanie, and three children, Alex, Sara and Caroline.   He admits that one of the reasons he chose to disagree with his mother about where he should practice (and why he’s still here) is grounded in his faith.     

“In many ways,” he says, “being a doctor at CareSouth is just an extension of my faith, of taking care of people in need. That’s all it really is.”