Medical Association Past President Receives National Award

Dr. George C. Smith Sr., has been a role model for countless physicians in Alabama, including his son and granddaughter. For more than 50 years, Dr. Smith has practiced medicine in the small community of Lineville, and his years of service and dedication to patient care have garnered him national recognition.

The Federation of State Medical Boards recently honored Dr. Smith with the John H. Clark, M.D., Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding and exemplary leadership, commitment and contributions to advancing the public good at the state medical board level.

“I’m very honored,” Dr. Smith said. “It was very much a surprise. I didn’t know I was nominated.”

Medicine is a family affair for the Smith family. Dr. Smith said he is a fourth-generation Smith from his hometown of Lineville, which has a population of about 2,500 residents. He and his son, Dr. Buddy Smith Jr., work together at the Clay County Medical Clinics. When Dr. Smith Jr.’s daughter, Ashley, receives her medical degree, she will join the clinic later this fall.

“That’s special and I’m so proud,” Smith said. “Three generations of doctors, that’s pretty rare,” Dr. Smith said.

As a past member and chairman of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Censors of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and through his current service on the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, Dr. Smith has worked selflessly to ensure the safety, protection and welfare of patients. In 2011 Dr. Smith received the Paul W. Burleson Award from the Medical Association in recognition of a medical career encompassing not only high ethical and professional standards in patient care, but also extraordinary service to physician organizations. His exceptional work has been recognized by his induction into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2014, and by the naming of the Clay County Public Health building in his honor. Dr. Smith has been a member of the Clay County Medical Society and the Medical Association since 1966.