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
- Autoimmune Hepatitis Diagnosis
- Blood Clotting Disorder Treatment
- Blood Disorder Diagnosis
- Blood Transfusion
- Bone Marrow Biopsy And Aspiration
- Magnesium Imbalance Treatment
- Newborn Screening Tests
- Pernicious Anemia
- Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment
- Thalassemia
- Thrombocytapheresis
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acquired Hemolytic Anemia
- Amyloidosis
- Anemia
- Aplastic Anemia
- B Cell Lymphoma
- Bleeding Disorders
- Blood Cancer
- Blood Cancers
- Blood Disorders
- Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
- Clotting Disorders
- Coagulopathy
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Infusion, Transfusion And Injection
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Disorders Of Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Disorders Of Mineral Metabolism
- Disorders Of White Blood Cells
- Esophagus Cancer
- Essential Thrombocythemia
- Factor Viii Deficiency
- Gallbladder Disease
- Hematologic Malignancies
- Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- Hemophilia
- Hemorrhagic Conditions
- Hodgkin Disease
- Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
- Leukemia
- Leukocytosis
- Lymphoma
- Malignant Neoplasm
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Connective And Soft Tissue
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Retroperitoneum
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Testicle
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Mature Nk
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
- Nasopharynx Cancer
- Necrotizing Vasculopathies
- Neutropenia
- Pernicious Anemia
- Poisoning
- Polycythemia Vera
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spherocytosis
- Thalassemia
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Transplanted Organ And Tissue Status
- Venous Embolism
- Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
Procedures I perform
- 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
- Bone Marrow Biopsy And Aspiration
- Bone Marrow Failure Treatment
- Coagulopathy Management
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Ear Tube Insertion
- Growth Hormone Screening
- Gynecological Cancer Screening
- Hemophilia Treatment
- Iliac Bone Marrow Extraction
- Insertion Infusion Device
- Internal Jugular Central Line Placement
- 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 Irrigation
- 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
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Network OA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- POS OA
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Medicare FFS
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- IH-Open HMO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Choice Fund PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Network OA
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- UHC Passport
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Administrators
- CIGNA EPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Choice POS
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- HighMark
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Navigate
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Navigate
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Employee Health Plan
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- OA Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Optimum Choice
- Employee Health Plan
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HealthyBlue PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- TRICARE East Select
- CIGNA EPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Sentara Health
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- POS OA
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-POS
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-POS Plus
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Network Only Plus
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Beech Street PPO
- Medicare Direct
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- United Student Resources
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-Open POS Plus
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- HighMark
- Aetna HMO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Choice POS II
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Sentara Health
- First Health PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst EPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Aetna Basic
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- UHC Passport
- TRICARE East Prime
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-PPO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- IH-Indemnity
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Medicare FFS
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- OA Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- IH-HMO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Medicare Direct
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- CareFirst NASCO
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)