Dr. Walkitria Smith is a trailblazer in healthcare, committed to advancing digital health equity, telemedicine, and comprehensive care. Raised in Mobile, Alabama, her interest in medicine was deeply influenced by her mother's battle with breast cancer. Witnessing the life-saving power of early intervention, Dr. Smith became increasingly engaged in understanding healthcare from a young age, developing a passion for improving access to quality care in underserved communities.

Inspired by the way medicine was practiced in her hometown, where one doctor served as the community’s go-to for every ailment, Dr. Smith set her sights on family medicine as a pathway to impact populations facing health disparities. She earned her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her residency in family practice in Richmond, Virginia, where she stood out as one of the few Black physicians in the region. After meeting her husband, she relocated to Atlanta to continue her practice in family medicine.

Dr. Smith’s approach to healthcare is rooted in establishing lasting, proactive relationships with patients. Rather than practicing reactive medicine, she envisioned a system where doctors could anticipate and prevent issues before they arose. This belief led her into academics and innovation, where she became Associate Program Director for Residency and later Medical Director of Telemedicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. In these roles, she has been instrumental in training doctors to adopt more innovative, patient-centered care models that address health equity challenges.

Driven by a passion for technological innovation, introduced telemedicine to expand access for patients limited by time and financial constraints. This effort aligned with her larger goal of bridging gaps in healthcare, ensuring that all patients, regardless of background, have opportunities for accessible and timely medical care.

In 2018, Dr. Smith co-founded Chastain MD, a concierge-style practice dedicated to personalized, patient-focused care. Through Chastain MD, Dr. Smith offers tailored healthcare experiences that prioritize convenience, wellness, and continuity of care, providing services like priority appointments and customized wellness plans.

Dr. Smith currently serves as Chief Digital Medical Officer and Associate Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. In addition to her academic work, she holds multiple leadership roles, including Medical Director for Comprehensive Family Medicine Clinic and staff physician at Grady Memorial Hospital. She is also a board member of the Task Force for Global Health, where she contributes to initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes worldwide, especially in marginalized populations.

Her influence extends beyond her clinical and academic roles. Dr. Smith is a recognized voice in healthcare innovation and equity, serving as an external content reviewer for Trulite Health, Adjunct Professor at the Philadelphia College of Medicine, and a Utilization Management Provider for Core Civic. Her expertise has also led to advisory roles, including as a member of the Coalition to Advance COVID-19 at Morehouse School of Medicine, working in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and as an AIM AHEAD CLINIQ Fellow.

Dr. Smith has moderated and presented on numerous panels, including those for the Atlanta Medical Association, Pfizer, and Morehouse School of Medicine. She has been featured in prominent media outlets, such as Fox News, WABE, Modern Luxury Magazine, WCLK, BlackDoctors.org, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Her dedication to healthcare transformation, education, and innovation has made her a sought-after expert and a leading voice in digital health equity. Dr. Smith currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, Hassan, and their two children, Garvey and Ella.