Vincent C. Smith, MD MPH
Division Chief of Newborn Medicine at Boston Medical Center

Babies are awesome! Let’s do what we can to support them! – Dr. Vincent C. Smith

PREEMIEWORLD: How long have you been working in your field?
DR. SMITH: 17 years

PREEMIEWORLD: Why did you choose your current profession?
DR. SMITH: I started working with babies when I was resident in the late 1990’s. I realized that babies are pretty amazing and decided I would do fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine in the early 2000’s. I have been practicing neonatology since 2003.

PREEMIEWORLD: What do you want other professionals to know about what you do?

DR. SMITH:  Babies are the most amazing thing ever! Being a neonatologist means that we get to spend a lot of time with families during a very important time of their lives. It is an honor to be able to serve and work with families during this very precious time.

PREEMIEWORLD: What advice do you give to preemie parents?

DR. SMITH:
• Ask lots of questions
• Be willing to set expectations about visitation and involvement
• Advocate for your family
• Do what’s comfortable and gradually increase what you do over time
• Be yourself
• Speak up…don’t assume the staff will know what you need
• Remember you are not in it alone. There are people who want to support you

PREEMIEWORLD: Fun Facts: Tell us a fun or quirky fact about you.

DR. SMITH: I am a total sci-fi nerd. I spent my youth reading comic books.

PREEMIEWORLD: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

DR. SMITH: The world is a little crazy right now. We have to pull together, take care of each other, and work cooperatively to make it through. Just remember this is only a moment in time and hope springs eternal.