Dr Donald R Smith This is Me

Education

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1. 1. Physician of the Year -- Arizona Academy of Family Physicians

   www.azafp.org/online/az/home/a - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/20/2008   Last Visited: 6/20/2008

   Donald R Smith, MD: 2007 Physician of the Year
   
   Dr Donald R Smith graduated in 1981 from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in range management and then completed his medical degree, with honors in family medicine, at the same institution in 1985.He finished his family medicine residency training at the University of Utah and completed a faculty development fellowship at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.From 1988 to 1993, Dr Smith worked at the US Public Health Service Keams Canyon Indian Health Service (Hopi Reservation).From 1993 to 1995, he provided locum tenens services to rural and underserved sites in Arizona.Since 1995, he has been on the staff of the United Community Health Center in Green Valley, Arizona, serving as its medical director from 1995 to 2004.
   
   A rare physician who still makes home visits, Dr Smith's concern for and treatment of his rural patients is greatly admired by the medical students whom he teaches.His willingness to go the extra mile by opening the clinic after hours or giving his cell phone number to his patients is the mark of a wonderful man and a truly great physician.Many of his students report that their goal is to emulate his rapport with his patients, a trait that is crucial in the provision of high-quality medical care.
   
   An avid runner, Dr Smith started a program called "Dash for Cash," through which he personally raised $16,000 to help fund a new building for the Continental Family Medical Center in Green Valley.He also has worked diligently with others to establish the only after-hours and weekend medical services between Nogales and Tucson.Knowing the value of exercise in enhancing the quality of life, he and a medical student organized the Arivaca 100 Mile Club, through which any Arivaca resident who ran, walked, or swam 100 miles or more between Memorial and Labor Day would be honored at a community celebration with a tee shirt and a homemade breakfast.
   
   Dr Smith's concern does not stop with his patients; he endeavors to care for the community as a whole.He has transported extra produce from the local community garden to a food bank in Amado, from which he would then takes extras to Casa Maria, a homeless feeding program in Tucson.This year, he has been picking up the backpacks and clothes of migrants who leave them in the desert while trying to elude the border patrols, and then delivers the good clothes and backpacks to homeless programs.He and his wife Julie Ferdon have also hosted three high school exchange students from Chile and Scandinavia.
   
   An outstanding role model, for 10 years he has served as a preceptor for the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the College of Nursing's Family Nurse Practitioner Program.Because of his superb skills, he was chosen Preceptor of the Year in 1999 by the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers, and in 2004, he received the Exceptional Clinical Teacher Award from the University of Arizona College of Nursing.
   
   "A warm and engaging communicator, his homespun style of speakingâ€"peppered with real life experiencesâ€"has been an inspiration to those whom Dr Smith has taught, the colleagues with whom he has worked, the patients whom he has treated, and the community he has served.," states Karla Birkholz, MD, chair of the AzAFP Award Committee.
   ...
   Dr Donald Smith excels in each of these areas.Armaity Vaghaiwalla Austin, MD, the 2006-2007 president of the AzAFP, states "Dr Smith epitomizes what it means to be a family physician."
   
   Donald Smith MDDonald R Smith, MD

2. 2. UNITED COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

   www.uchcaz.org/med_staff.htm - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/18/2008   Last Visited: 5/18/2008

   Donald Smith, MD(Family Practice)

3. 3. Members in the News -- Arizona Academy of Family Physicians

   www.azafp.org/online/az/home/m - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/29/2007   Last Visited: 6/20/2008

   Donald R Smith, MD, was awarded the AzAFP's highest honor: Arizona Family Physician of the Year for 2007.Find more information about Dr Smith on the Awards Page.