David M. Smith

David M. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center's School of Medicine. He serves as Medical Director of Youth Sports Medicine for the University of Kansas Health System in the Sports Medicine and Performance Center and has been Program Director for the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship since 2018. Dr. Smith also serves on the leadership team for the Center for Concussion Management at UKHS.

With over 30 years of sports medicine experience, Dr. Smith has served as head primary care team physician for the KC Chiefs (2013) and currently serves as assistant team physician for the KC Royals. His career spans working with professional athletes, Olympic competitors, collegiate athletes, and youth athletes. He served as Medical Director for UKHS physicians at the 2020 USA Gymnastics championships and traveled as team physician for the US Taekwondo team (1998) and US Junior Women's basketball team (2001).

Dr. Smith graduated from Kansas State University, received his M.D. from University of Kansas in 1985, completed family medicine residency at Michigan State University, and a sports medicine fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1989. He is board certified in family medicine with added qualifications in sports medicine.

• Research focuses on concussion management, particularly return to driving after concussion
• Longstanding interest in preparticipation evaluation of athletes
• Recent research on young athletes returning to sports after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Dr. Smith maintains an active clinical practice treating musculoskeletal injuries and concussion while mentoring residents and fellows. He personally participates in triathlons and emphasizes balancing medicine, family, and faith.