UT Tyler Faculty Member Named President of Texas Pediatric Society
December 10, 2024 | Elizabeth Wingfield
Dr. Valerie Smith, pediatric clerkship director and assistant professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, has been named the 2024-2025 president of the Texas Pediatric Society, the Texas
Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Smith for her appointment,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Her dedication to the health and well-being of children, not only in East Texas but across the state, is unparalleled. We look forward to seeing the incredible work she will accomplish as she leads TPS in advancing pediatric care for the children of Texas.”
The Texas Pediatric Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of children and families. Over 4,800 members have joined its mission, including pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric trainees. TPS offers educational programs and resources on preventive care, suicide prevention, adverse childhood event and postpartum depression screening and treatment.
As president, Dr. Smith will lead TPS through key initiatives, including the advancement of care standards for children, promoting pediatric education and advocating for legislative measures that benefit children’s health.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president of TPS and to continue our commitment to improving the health of children throughout the state,” said Dr. Smith. “Together, we will focus on addressing critical issues facing pediatricians and advocating for policies that protect and improve the health of children and families.”
In addition to her role at UT Tyler, Smith serves as the public health authority for Smith County. Dr. Smith’s extensive background in pediatric care and public health has been pivotal in addressing both individual and community health needs. She is also a member of various local and statewide health committees, where she advocates for child health and safety.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.