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 accessibi
Clinical areas of focus
- Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosis
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Blood Disorder Diagnosis
- Bone Marrow Biopsy And Aspiration
- Magnesium Imbalance Treatment
- Newborn Screening Tests
- Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
Procedures I perform
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy
- Antineoplastic Injection
- Ascites Drainage
- Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosis
- Blood Banking
- Blood Cancer Diagnosis
- Blood Cancer Treatment
- Blood Clotting Disorder Diagnosis
- Blood Clotting Disorder Screening
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Blood Disorder Diagnosis
- Blood Transfusion
- Bone Marrow Aspiration
- Bone Marrow Biopsy And Aspiration
- Bone Marrow Failure Treatment
- Coagulopathy Management
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Ear Tube Insertion
- Growth Hormone Screening
- Hemophilia Treatment
- Iliac Bone Marrow Extraction
- Insertion Infusion Device
- Leukemia Treatment
- Leukopenia Treatment
- Lymphoma Diagnosis
- Lymphoma Treatment
- Magnesium Imbalance Treatment
- Multiple Myeloma Treatment
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment
- Myeloma Diagnosis
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Treatment
- Newborn Screening Tests
- Nonautologous Globulin Transfusion
- Nonautologous Platelets Transfusion
- Nonautologous Red Blood Cells Transfusion
- Nonautologous Whole Blood Transfusion
- Pancreas Transplant Malignancy Screening
- Removal Of Central Venous Access Device
- Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
- Thrombocytapheresis
- Venous Access Device Removal
- Vitamin Deficiency Screening
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
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Choice POS
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Beech Street PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Choice Fund PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- TRICARE for Life East
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- TRICARE East Select
- United Student Resources
- Employee Health Plan
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Optimum Choice
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-POS
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Basic
- IH-POS Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- POS OA
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- OA Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CIGNA EPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- IH-PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Navigate
- Aetna Classic 3500
- MultiPlan, Inc
- IH-Open POS II
- Medicare FFS
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA Indemnity
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CIGNA PPO
- HighMark
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Choice POS II
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Sentara Health
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Network OA
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- UHC Passport
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Choice POS II Open Access
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: Tufts Medical Center (2003)
Residency: Tufts Medical Center (2000)
Medical School: University of Tennessee-Memphis (1997)