Heather Smith, PT, DPT, MS

Palliative Care Subject Matter Specialist

Heather Smith is a doctorally prepared physical therapist dedicated to changing healthcare.  Over the past twenty years she has practiced as a physical therapist across all settings of care and served patients across the lifespan.  She is an innovative, strategic, and visionary healthcare leader with a passion for population health and the management of health care needs across the continuum of care.  She believes that healthcare needs are local to a community and that in partnership, you can transform the outcomes and way care is delivered, all while keeping patients at home and in the community.   

Dr. Smith has spent over a decade designing and implementing integrated care models and programs, in partnership with healthcare providers, community partners, accountable care organizations, payers, and health systems.  She has worked with providers across the continuum that service patients in their homes and the communities through alternative payment models, CMS value-based care initiatives, and preferred networks.  She has developed and led numerous clinical programs designed to deliver high quality interdisciplinary care. 

Dr. Smith led population health programs and strategic partnership development for a large nonprofit home health, home infusion, and durable medical equipment company servicing the Southeast US.  She has worked in collaboration with skilled home health, Palliative care, Hospice care, and home care agencies across the US.  She also was a co-founder of a company that was formed to provide access to high quality home and community based primary care services to patients.  

Dr. Smith lives in Colfax, NC with her husband, Matt, and their son, Jonathan.  She enjoys being outdoors, gardening, swimming, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.