Not once, not twice, not three times a Wahoo, Dr. Moira Smith is a Hoo through and through.
The emergency room physician holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and religious studies, a master’s degree in public health and her medical degree from the University of Virginia. She even did her residency and fellowship at UVA Health University Medical Center. Now, she covers shifts in the center’s emergency department, mentors resident physicians and is a professor of emergency medicine in the UVA School of Medicine.
In fact, Smith has been at UVA since she graduated high school in Danville.
Part of Smith’s emergency department duties at UVA Health University Medical Center is working with residents, a duty she says she loves. From the left are Drs. Paul Kim, Luisa Gonzalez and Matt Colas. Dr. Smith is on the right. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“UVA is just such a great place. The people, the students, everyone is so nice. There’s something about being a UVA grad, a tight bond that puts you in good company with other alumni,” Smith said, taking a break between shifts and classes in the hospital cafeteria.
“Even if they aren’t classmates, UVA alumni are kind of looking out for each other and have a certain regard and caring for each other,” she said.
“She embodies the spirit that is UVA emergency medicine,” resident Dr. Meg Keswani said. “I feel that (this) is a family, a place where everyone supports one another without hesitation.”
Smith came to UVA with the idea of being an emergency room physician. Her father and uncle, who both work in the medical field near Danville, inspired her.
“I grew up seeing what they do. They could take care of ankle sprains, intubate patients, put in chest tubes, and deal with massive trauma, strokes or heart attacks,” she said. “They did it all.
“I love it. You get to see so much. You get to learn so much. You get broad exposure to every facet of medicine. You work elbow-to-elbow with your colleagues from other specialties – neurology colleagues, pediatric colleagues, etc. – it’s just so fun. And no two days are the same,” she said.
Her love of the job shows, say the residents she mentors in the emergency department.
Besides teaching residents and treating patients, Smith also uses health informatics – computer science-based procedures – to improve communication, understanding and procedures within the department. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“She has excellent bedside manner, provides fantastic care, always maintains her composure, truly cares about the wellbeing of her patients, never complains and will go out of her way to help anyone at any time,” resident Dr. Angelica Rego said. “She is also a fantastic teacher and makes a point to find teachable moments on shift. She’s also great at walking residents or students through procedures and providing feedback.”
“When I see Dr. Smith’s name on the schedule, I’m instantly excited to be on shift,” Keswani said. “Her feedback is incredibly valuable to me because she always pulls in specific examples, which is really hard to do in a very busy emergency department.”
Smith fell in love with Grounds on her visit after graduating high school in Danville. She earned her bachelor’s degree in religious studies and biology, choosing religious studies because it involves much of human existence.
“It’s so interdisciplinary. There’s history, literature, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and so much involved in it,” she said. “I use that part of my education a lot because there’s the really interesting science part of medicine, but then there’s also the human side. Everybody that comes in to the emergency department is having, if not the worst, one of the worst days of their life.”
Smith stayed for her master’s, studying health policy, law, ethics and economics in UVA’s public health program. She also discovered a love of academic research and informatics, the use of computer science and information to improve medical care.
“It’s been interesting to be at the same place for so long that it feels like home, but it’s also exciting because I meet so many new people every year,” Smith said. “I’ve collaborated nationally with emergency medicine and informatics organizations and I get to travel a lot, so it’s been the best of both worlds for me.”
