August 2006

 Dr. Robert B. Smith Retires

Dr. Robert B. Smith III, whose Emory-based career spanned almost four decades, retired from his post as medical director of Emory University Hospital and associate chair of the Department of Surgery at Emory University on August 31, 2006. A vascular surgeon by trade, Dr. Smith combined medical administrative roles with clinical duties throughout his distinguished career, leading medical staff at Emory Hospital for the past decade. Under his guidance, the hospital was consistently recognized as one of the top healthcare providers in the country.

Dr. Smith was a participant in many of the medical breakthroughs that helped shape Emory into a center of innovation. He was involved in Georgia's first organ transplant and has been an eminent figure in vascular surgery throughout his professional life. He was also considered one of Emory's finest teachers and received the Emory general surgery residents' 2004 teaching award in recognition of his ability to inspire and lead by example.

A native of Atlanta, Dr. Smith attended Emory College and received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1957. Upon completion of a surgery internship at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for two years. He then completed a general surgery residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and joined the faculty of the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Surgery in 1966. Dr. Smith rose to the rank of Professor of Surgery in 1977 and currently serves as the John E. Skandalakis Professor of Surgery, emeritus.

His administrative appointments included chief of the surgical service at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; head of general vascular surgery as well as acting chair and associate chair of the Department of Surgery at Emory; associate medical director and medical director at Emory University Hospital; and service on the Leadership Council of The Emory Clinic.

After completing 19 years as chief of surgical service at the VA Medical Center, Dr. Smith was honored with the Distinguished Service Award of the Association of VA Surgeons. His bibliography includes 218 scientific articles and book chapters, he has co-edited four textbooks, and he served on the editorial board of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. Smith earned certification and re-certification in vascular surgery from the American Board of Surgery and served in a number of professional associations.

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