Dr. Gigi Smith | Pediatric Epilepsy | Best Researcher Award
Associate Provost & Professor at Medical University of South Carolina, United States
Dr. Georgette (Gigi) Maria Smith is a dedicated educator, clinical leader, and researcher specializing in pediatric epilepsy care and nursing education. As a professor and Associate Provost at the Medical University of South Carolina, she plays a key role in shaping innovative education strategies and fostering student life initiatives. With over 35 years of nursing experience, her contributions to healthcare include advancing nurse practitioner programs, pioneering mHealth interventions, and advocating for improved care access for individuals with epilepsy. Dr. Smith is also a recognized leader in academic governance, serving on multiple committees to enhance healthcare education and policy development. 🌟👩⚕️📚
Publication Profile :
Educational Background 🎓
Dr. Georgette (Gigi) Maria Smith holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the Medical University of South Carolina (2012), a Postgraduate Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from MUSC (2000), a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing from Columbia University (1991), and a B.S. in Nursing from Hartwick College (1985). Additionally, she completed the prestigious AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Program in 2016 at the University of Pennsylvania.
Professional Experience 💼
Dr. Smith’s career spans extensive academic, administrative, and clinical roles. She has served as a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing since 2017, achieving tenure in 2018. Prior to this, she held various faculty positions, including Associate Professor and Assistant Professor. Dr. Smith has also made significant administrative contributions, including her current role as Associate Provost for Education Innovation & Student Life (2020-present). She has been a leader in numerous academic programs, from directing the DNP/MSN program (2013-2014) to coordinating and leading the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program (2005-2013).
In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Smith has a rich clinical practice background. She worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Neurosciences Department (2002-2015) and has specialized in pediatric epilepsy and neuroscience nursing. Her early clinical career includes roles at renowned institutions such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.
Research Interests 🔬
Dr. Smith’s research interests focus on pediatric epilepsy, psychosocial impacts of chronic illness, and healthcare innovations in education. She has explored diverse areas such as self-management for children with epilepsy, the role of mHealth technology in medication adherence, and the mental health outcomes for children with epilepsy. Her research also involves evaluating educational interventions and the impact of telehealth in nursing practice, particularly in underserved populations.
Her research has been funded by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Notably, she has been a principal investigator and co-investigator on several projects related to pediatric epilepsy, depression screening in youth, and the development of educational tools for healthcare providers.
Selected Honors:
- 2024: Distinguished Faculty Service Award
- 2023: MUSC Values in Action Award: Impact
- 2016: Fellow in the American Epilepsy Society
- 2012: Sigma Theta Tau New Investigator Award
- 2006: South Carolina Palmetto Gold Nurse Award
Publications 📚
📄 Article
The eACT study design and methods: A sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial of a novel adherence intervention for youth with epilepsy
👩🔬 Authors: Wagner, J.L., Patel, A.D., Huszti, H., … Davidian, M., Modi, A.C.
📚 Journal: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2024, 147, 107739
📄 Review
Behavioral health screening in pediatric epilepsy: Which measures commonly used in the United States are ‘good enough’?
👩🔬 Authors: Wagner, J.L., Brothers, S.L., Guilfoyle, S.M., … Smith, G., Clifford, L.M.
📚 Journal: Epilepsy and Behavior, 2022, 134, 108818
🔢 Citations: 9
📄 Article
Outcomes and lessons learned from an interprofessional student training program in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) at an academic health sciences center
👩🔬 Authors: Gainey, S., Muzzy, W., Dooley, M., … Holmes-Maybank, K., Smith, G.
📚 Journal: Nurse Education Today, 2022, 111, 105323
🔢 Citations: 10
📱 Article • Open Access
Learning experience design of an mHealth intervention for parents of children with epilepsy
👩🔬 Authors: Schmidt, M., Glaser, N., Riedy, T., … Patel, A., Modi, A.C.
📚 Journal: International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2022, 160, 104671
🔢 Citations: 5
📄 Article
ADHD and epilepsy-related QoL in youth with epilepsy
👩🔬 Authors: Wagner, J.L., Mueller, M., Hellier, T.S., Smith, G., Modi, A.
📚 Journal: Epilepsy and Behavior, 2021, 123, 108250
🔢 Citations: 7
🌟 Article • Open Access
Highlights From AES2020, a Virtual American Epilepsy Society Experience
👩🔬 Authors: Jobst, B.C., Conner, K.R., Coulter, D., … Valencia, I., Gaillard, W.D.
📚 Journal: Epilepsy Currents, 2021, 21(4), pp. 303
🔢 Citations: 1
💻 Article • Open Access
The psychosocial impact of COVID-19 within the first six months of the pandemic on youth with epilepsy and their caregivers
👩🔬 Authors: Modi, A.C., Patel, A.D., Stevens, J., … Schmidt, M., Wagner, J.L.
📚 Journal: Epilepsy and Behavior, 2021, 117, 107855
🔢 Citations: 7
📚 Review
Integration of Telehealth Education into the Health Care Provider Curriculum: A Review
👩🔬 Authors: Chike-Harris, K.E., Durham, C., Logan, A., Smith, G., Dubose-Morris, R.
📚 Journal: Telemedicine and e-Health, 2021, 27(2), pp. 137–149
🔢 Citations: 90
📄 Article
PedsQL™ Cognitive Functioning Scale in youth with epilepsy: Reliability and validity
👩🔬 Authors: Varni, J.W., Junger, K.F., Kellermann, T., … Zupanc, M.L., Modi, A.C.
📚 Journal: Epilepsy and Behavior, 2020, 103, 106850
🔢 Citations: 12
🏥 Article • Open Access
Leadership development in academic health science centers: Towards a paradigm shift
👩🔬 Authors: Brownfield, E., Cole, D.J., Segal, R.L., … Stuart, G., Smith, G.
📚 Journal: Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 2020, 12, pp. 135–142
🔢 Citations: 2