Dr. Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith, M.D., M.P.H., has been appointed medical director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), state Commissioner of Public Health John Auerbach announced last week.

Smith is an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and the medical director of the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children at Boston Medical Center. She is known within public health circles for her work exploring how social, economic and demographic factors affect the health of children.

In her new role with DPH, Smith will oversee clinical activities and participate in senior policy, planning and programmatic initiatives throughout the department.

“Dr. Smith brings to the department outstanding experience in public health research and practice,” said Auerbach. “Her knowledge and skills will help guide the important work of the DPH in improving the health of all the people of the Commonwealth, particularly our most vulnerable residents.”

The doctor’s extensive research includes articles and reports addressing the relationship between children’s health and such factors as energy costs, affordable housing and welfare status. She has also worked to end the racial and ethnic disparities in health as a member of the state Legislature’s Commission on the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Disparities.

Smith received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College and her medical and public health degrees from the University of California. She performed her internship and residency at Children’s Hospital Boston, where she also served as chief resident. For the past two years, she has worked as a health policy fellow in the office of Speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi.

Smith will begin working in her new position part-time immediately, and on a full-time basis starting in January 2008, after completing her current clinical and public health commitments.