Michael J. L. Smith

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MICHAEL J. L. SMITH

Dr. Smith is a member of the faculty and Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. He is a Doctor of Public Health with specializations in Epidemiology, Community Health, and Preventive Medicine, with clinical training in Cardiopulmonary Science. In his role as Assistant Director and Diversity Officer, he is responsible for working collaboratively and cohesively with a diverse team of colleagues who are dedicated and committed to engaging with the local community, campus community and educating students in a manner that is respectful of all cultural traditions and practices, gender identities, sexual orientations, age, religious/spiritual beliefs, and in all areas that distinguish individuals. Dr. Smith also serves as Director of the Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA), where 65 local high-performing high school students are hand selected by applications to engage in a one week series of workshops with health and medical professionals on five different campus sites, including two UCF main campus sites, the UCF Downtown campus, the UCF Medical City campuses in Lake Nona. Dr. Smith\'s working group and emphasis in the college of medicine are recruitment, retention, and mentorship of a diverse student body. The strategy and approach to success is the educational pathway that promotes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the college of medicine and the university. Success is achieved, by creating a greater presence in diverse populations, and enhanced collaborations with the college admissions department, and the college of medicine’s outreach teams in diverse populations. Thereby enhancing the likelihood of academic and professional success among historically marginalized groups through early exposure, ongoing training and provisions of resources to recruit and retain a diverse faculty, staff, and student community. Since 2018, Dr. Smith has sat on the Board of Directors for the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society of Palm Beach County Florida, where he has served on the COVID-19 Task Force, Chairperson for \"Student Mentoring\" and medical admission and serves as the Parliamentarian Officer. In a collaborative effort, Dr. Smith has also worked closely with Congresswoman Lois Frankel of the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida\'s 21st District of Palm Beach County on her COVID-19 Task Force from 20••••22.