Profile: Tammy Smith

She may not be a doctor, but most likely Tammy Smith can inform you about what’s going on in health care field. Writing about health care since 1992, Smith stays up to date about consumer health issues and trends.

Speaking to a VCU journalism class last Monday, Smith discussed her career as a medical reporter, and gave advice to aspiring reporters. Smith further motivated students by distributing some of her articles and giving personal accounts of her experiences.

“Always talk to real people,” she said, “that’s where I find most of the stories I write about.”

Smith started her career as a reporter for The Tennessean, writing about consumer health issues and trends. In 2000 Smith began working as a reporter at The Richmond Times- Dispatch, and is currently still there. Although Smith says she has written“…just about everything except sports,” she is most passionate about is medical reporting.

“I’m interested health care because I am a consumer of health care,” Smith said.
Smith personal interests include public health, women's health and care for low-income populations.

Smith also frequently writes about advancements in technology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, but warns students, that health care reporting also “…requires a lot of technical terms and knowledge.”

Smith takes the time to educate herself in the medical field. In addition to earning her master’s in public health at Virginia Commonwealth University this past year, Smith is also a member of The Association of Medical Journalists, and The Virginia Public Health Association. Many of her works have been published in magazines such as, Emerge Magazine and Essence Magazine.

Smith’s editor Cindy Creasy said, “Tammy knows about the subject inside and out. She has dealt with health stories for many years.”

Smith is interested in what concerns the community. She is an innovator of medical journalism, and she is now a highly trusted source of health information for the community.

Smith’s editor added, “People trust her because she is well known with the players in town”

Although medical reporting may seem like a complex field, Smith sees it differently.
When asked why she enjoys her work so much, Smith simply replied, “I like to be able to tell peoples stories.”

You can follow Smith by checking out her blog at, www.mytimesdispatch.com/index.php/your_health/index/