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)
- 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
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Choice POS II
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Sentara Health
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- OA Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA EPO
- IH-PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna Basic
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Network OA
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-POS
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- HighMark
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Medicare Direct
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- UHC Passport
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Navigate
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Optimum Choice
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Student Resources
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- IH-Indemnity
- IH-POS Plus
- TRICARE East Prime
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- POS OA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CIGNA PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Administrators
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
Fellowship: Tufts Medical Center (2003)
Residency: Tufts Medical Center (2000)
Medical School: University of Tennessee-Memphis (1997)