About me
Hedy Smith, MD, PhD, is a hematologist and member of the American Society of Hematology who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hemoglobin disorders, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease; bleeding and thrombotic disorders; cytopenias; immune disorders, such as immune thrombocytopenic (or ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemias, and common variable immune deficiency; and myeloproliferative neoplasms and other malignant blood diseases. As part of the diagnostic process, Dr. Smith performs bone marrow biopsies to identify myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemias, and lymphomas.
Dr. Smith earned a PhD in immunology from the University of New Mexico before receiving her medical degree from the University of Tennessee. She then joined Tufts Medical Center, School of Medicine for residency training in internal medicine before completing a three-year fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Tufts Medical Center. She stayed at the Hematology/Oncology Division at Tufts Medical Center where she practiced for 11 years as an attending physician. Dr. Smith has a passion for teaching and mentorship of residents and fellows and, in recognition of her dedication to this aspect of academic medicine, she was awarded “The Career Award for Excellence in Housestaff Teaching” in 2016.
Her clinical interest is in non-malignant hematologic disorders including bleeding and thrombotic disorders such as hemophilias, von Willebrand disease, ITP, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), paroxysymal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and Myeloproliferative disorders (Polycythemia Vera, Essential thrombocythemia, hyerp-eosinophilic disorders, myelofibrosis). Much of her research has been on comprehensive care models for the treatment of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), as well as novel therapies for SCD. Dr. Smith most recently served as Principal Investigator in the Phase III clinical trial being conducted by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, which evaluates the efficacy and safety of a novel therapy for sickle cell disease. She was also co-investigator of a large national trial exploring bone marrow transplantation as a curative approach in young adults with severe sickle cell disease.
Currently, there is a wide therapeutic landscape in development for sickle cell disease and Dr. Smith is passionate about her role as a clinical leader in this area of Hematology. She has also been heavily involved in community efforts aimed at improving the lives of patients and families affected by sickle cell disease. For this, she was honored by the Boston City Council and the Boston Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association “For Excellence in Medicine and advocacy on Behalf of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.”
Dr. Smith has been the recipient of US News and World Report’s “Top Doctors” and “Boston Top Doctors” distinctions. She was nominated for and received honorable mention for the “Schwartz Compassionate Award in Medicine” in 2005.
Philosophy of Care
“The right plan of care for all patients should be comprehensive, holistic, and must acknowledge that there is a person and a story behind the disease with which the patient is diagnosed. Patients under my care will always be treated with respect and will be invited to be a partner in their care".
“Partnering in your care involves developing some sort of literacy about your medical condition. I strongly emphasize my role and responsibility for educating the patient and bringing them to an understanding of their disease. When patients gain an understanding of their diagnosis, they make more rational decisions about treatment, including issues related to end of life. I believe that my job is to help the patient make reasonable choices - one that preserves their dignity".
“My practice is built on compassion, trustworthiness, and making the patient feel safe. It is important to me that my patients feel that I am approachable and accessibile. Through compassion and understanding, I hope to make a positive difference in their medical care and their lives".
“I come from very humble beginnings, and have always aspired to give back through my vocation. My current position is the culmination of a dream I had for myself and I can’t imagine doing anything else. My beginnings have formed me and continue to inform the things I consider important".
“Referring physicians should expect that I will be diligent about communicating with them on their patient. I enjoy working in a collaborative fashion, and I pride myself on being willing and open to discussing the nuances of each case.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Sickle Cell Disease
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Adverse Effects To Anticoagulants
- Amyloidosis
- Anemia
- Anemia And Bone Marrow Disorders
- Anemia Of Chronic Disease
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Antithrombin Deficiency
- Aplastic Anemia
- Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
- Bleeding Disorder
- Blood Cancer
- Blood Clotting Disorder
- Blood Disorders
- Bone Marrow Disorders
- Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
- Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome (CAPS)
- Coagulation Disorders
- Cold Agglutinin Disease
- Cooley Anemia
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Deep Thrombophlebitis
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Diamond Blackfan Anemia
- Essential Thrombocytosis
- Factor Eight Disorder
- Factor Nine Deficiency
- Factor V Leiden
- Familial Aplastic Anemia
- Fanconi Anemia
- Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
- Hematologic Malignancies
- Hemochromatosis
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
- Hemophilia
- Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia
- Hereditary Spherocytosis
- Hypercoagulable State
- Hypogammaglobulinemia
- Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Iron Metabolism Disorders
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Leukemia
- Leukocytosis
- Leukopenia
- Lymphoma
- Lymphopenia
- Maternal Hematologic Disorders
- Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Myeloproliferative Diseases
- Neutropenia
- Pancytopenia
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
- Petechiae
- Platelet Disorder
- Poems Syndrome
- Polycythemia
- Porphyria
- Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS)
- Primary Myelofibrosis
- Primary Systemic Amyloidosis
- Protein C Deficiency
- Protein S Deficiency
- Prothrombin Gene Mutation
- Pure Red Cell Aplasia
- Purpura
- Recurrent Thrombosis
- Red Blood Cell Disorders
- Secondary Polycythemia
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Splenic Sequestration
- Splenomegaly
- Thalassemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Thrombocytosis
- Thrombophilia
- Thrombotic Disorders
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Venous Occlusive Crisis
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
- White Blood Cell Disorders
Procedures I perform
- Anticoagulation
- Bone Marrow Biopsy
- Lupus Anticoagulant
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United Select Plus (POS)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Cigna Network Open Access
- United AARP Medicare Complete
- Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
- Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst NASCO
- United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Tricare East Prime
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- Innovation Health: Open POS II
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Signature
- United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
- United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Medicaid - Maryland
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
- United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
- Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Cigna Preferred Medicare
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Cigna Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Cigna POS/Network POS
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
- United Golden Rule
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Innovation Health: POS
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Virginia Premier
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Cigna EPO
- United MD IPA (HMO)
- Kaiser Flexible Choice
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- WellPoint Maryland
- United Choice
- Tricare for Life East
- Kaiser Select
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- I-SNP
- Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- Cigna HMO Open Access
- United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Tricare East Select
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
- Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Cigna Indemnity
- United Optimum Choice
- Medicaid - Virginia
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
- Kaiser Select-Added Choice
- Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Navigate
- Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- D-SNP)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
- Carefirst EPO
- United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
- Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
- United Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Core Essential (HMO)
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Medicaid - District of Columbia
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
- HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- United Mamsi Life & Health
- Kaiser Medicare Plus
- United Choice Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
- Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- First Health PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
Fellowship Program: Tufts University Medical Center (2003)
Residency Program: Tufts University Medical Center (2000)
Medical School: University of Tennessee - Memphis (1997)