BayouLife Top Docs 2021
NANCY SMITH, MD Northern LA Medical Center
401 East Vaughn Avenue | Ruston 318.254.2436 northernlouisianamedicalcenter.com
TOP PATHOLOGIST 60 JANUARY 2021 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM
Dr. Nancy Vestal Smith is a pathologist in Ruston, Louisiana who specializes in general Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Dr. Smith first obtained her Medical Technology degree from Louisiana Tech University with her clinical internship in New Orleans. She then attended Louisiana State University Medical School in Shreveport and obtained her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in 1978. She continued her pathology residency at LSU-Shreveport. As a pathologist, Dr. Smith oversees multiple laboratories, where diagnostic testing is performed. She also signs out reports from slides made from tissue surgeons removed during surgery. Dr. Smith’s precise attention to detail and preference for definitive results have sustained her practice of Pathology for the last 42 years. Dr. Nancy was also very instrumental in helping NLMC set-up their COVID protocol. Dr. Smith formally met her husband, Dr. Tommy Smith, M.D., at LSU Medical School, though through conversation, the couple realized they should have met a few years prior. Both attended undergraduate courses at Louisiana Tech and were enrolled in the same French class. Attendance was optional at the time, and the professor would frequently ask if anyone had seen Mr. Tommy Smith, who wasn’t as diligent as his future wife. With their respective last names being alphabetically adjacent, assigned seating had them relatively close to one another, but it would take another few years and another medical school to make the connection. Dr. Tommy Smith remembers his wife studying diligently every evening from 6PM until 10PM, while he preferred a later start after Johnny Carson. Dr. Nancy Smith has consistently modeled a more responsible method, and Dr. Tommy Smith admits she still does so today, one of the many reasons she has navigated such a successful career. The couple married in 1979 and have three sons. Ross Smith is an interventional cardiologist with Affinity Clinic in Monroe. Jason Smith is an attorney in Monroe with Hudson, Potts, and Bernstein. Phillip Smith is currently attending an interventional cardiology fellowship in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Nancy Smith is an accomplished cook and can quickly spot a good recipe on paper. She loves reading and traveling, and has a soft spot for animals. The Smiths adopted a Cavalier King Charles two years ago named Lady Squire. They have five grandchildren: Gabrielle, Thomas, Tessa, Parkes, and Hutson Claire. Dr. Nancy Smith has managed to have it all, a successful career and a loving family.