Dr. Walkitria Smith is redefining healthcare with a focus on digital health equity, telemedicine, and comprehensive care. Known as a “celebrity” doctor, she has treated some well-known figures in entertainment and is married to Hassan, John Legend’s manager. Dr. Smith’s story, however, is rooted not in fame, but in a passion for accessible healthcare that began in Mobile, Alabama, where her mother’s battle with breast cancer inspired her to pursue medicine.
Growing up, Dr. Smith saw firsthand the life-saving power of early intervention. This experience ignited her desire to improve healthcare accessibility, especially for underserved communities. Influenced by the community-focused doctors in her hometown, she chose family medicine as her specialty, viewing it as a path to address health disparities. She earned her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her family practice residency in Richmond, Virginia, where she stood out as one of the few Black physicians.
A visionary in healthcare, Dr. Smith has always prioritized proactive patient relationships, aiming to anticipate and prevent health issues rather than merely react to them. This commitment led her into academia and healthcare innovation. She has served as Associate Program Director for Residency and later as Medical Director of Telemedicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. In these roles, Dr. Smith has championed patient-centered care models that address health equity, particularly by introducing telemedicine. Recognizing that time and financial barriers often limit healthcare access, Dr. Smith’s digital approach has widened the reach of her practice, helping patients from various backgrounds access timely and quality care.
In 2018, Dr. Smith co-founded Chastain MD, a concierge-style practice focused on personalized, patient-centered care. Chastain MD offers a suite of tailored services, including priority appointments and customized wellness plans, ensuring patients experience healthcare that prioritizes convenience, wellness, and continuity.
Currently, Dr. Smith serves as Chief Digital Medical Officer and Associate Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. Her influence extends through several leadership roles, including Medical Director for the Comprehensive Family Medicine Clinic and staff physician at Grady Memorial Hospital. She is also a board member of the Task Force for Global Health, where she contributes to global health initiatives, particularly for marginalized communities.
Dr. Smith’s expertise in healthcare innovation has made her a sought-after voice in the field. She is an external content reviewer for Trulite Health, an Adjunct Professor at the Philadelphia College of Medicine, and a Utilization Management Provider for Core Civic. Her advisory roles include serving on the Coalition to Advance COVID-19 at Morehouse School of Medicine in partnership with the NIH and as an AIM AHEAD CLINIQ Fellow. She has presented on numerous panels, including those for the Atlanta Medical Association, Pfizer, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Her insights have been featured in prominent media outlets such as Fox News, WABE, Modern Luxury Magazine, WCLK, BlackDoctors.org, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dr. Walkitria Smith’s dedication to healthcare transformation, education, and innovation has solidified her reputation as a leading expert in digital health equity. Based in Atlanta, she continues to make a profound impact on healthcare alongside her husband, Hassan, and their two children, Garvey and Ella.
Image Courtesy of Publicist.
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