Laura Smith, MD
Residency Director
Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
Family Medicine
Contact
Address:
815 Main Street, Peoria, IL, 61602
About
Dr. Smith was born and raised in southern Illinois. She was part of the charter class of Capital Scholars at the University of Illinois at Springfield and was named a Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate. She graduated from UIS with a BS in biology, then went to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to earn her MD. For residency, Dr. Smith trained at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Family Medicine Residency in Peoria. During residency, she had the honor of serving on the recruitment team and as co-chief resident before graduating in 2012.
Dr. Smith joined the faculty in July 2017 after five years practicing full spectrum family medicine including maternity care. She practiced at a rural critical- access hospital and rural health clinic in an underserved area in east central Illinois. During her time serving rural patients, Dr. Smith loved teaching medical students in her continuity clinic and in the delivery room – this sparked her interest in teaching and academic medicine. She relished the chance to work alongside the faculty who trained her during residency. After serving as Associate Program Director for a few years, she became the Program Director in January 2023.
Dr. Smith considers herself a "generalist" and enjoys practicing full-spectrum family medicine including maternity care, women's health care, procedures, dermatology, inpatient medicine, and MAT. Dr. Smith is honored to be part of the UICOMP FMR team helping future family physicians learn and grow from their time in medical school through residency and beyond.
The Smith family lives in Peoria. Her hobbies include outdoor activities with her children, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family.
As the need for primary care physicians steadily increases, it is exciting to be part of a team of faculty dedicated to training residents to become well-equipped and well-rounded family physicians.