L. Leigh Smith

L. Leigh Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Medicine. Board certified in adult infectious diseases, she attends on the infectious disease consult service at University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus and conducts public health research focused on multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and infection prevention in healthcare settings, particularly nursing homes.

Dr. Smith's educational background includes:

• ScB in Biology-Physical Sciences from Brown University (2011)
• MD from Howard University College of Medicine (2015)
• Residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami (2018)
• Masters in Humanitarian Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2022)
• Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2022)
• Fellowship in Leadership in Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Public Health from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (2023)

Her research centers on MDRO outbreak investigations in healthcare facilities through collaboration with state public health partners, utilizing genomic sequencing to clarify transmission pathways as demonstrated during COVID-19 exposure investigations. She actively participates in antibiotic stewardship initiatives and studies of emerging pathogens through the Maryland Statewide Prevention and Reduction Collaborative (SPARC), where she organizes seminars connecting healthcare facilities, health departments, and academic institutions.

Dr. Smith's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to infection control literature, with recent work transitioning from pandemic-focused studies (hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections, asymptomatic testing efficacy) to broader health equity concerns as seen in her in-press research on Candida auris and socioeconomic vulnerability.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Infectious Diseases Society of America Fellowship in Leadership in Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Public Health (2023)

While specific advising activities and grant funding details are not disclosed in available materials, Dr. Smith's operational framework involves direct collaboration with Maryland public health entities through SPARC to implement infection prevention improvements. Her ongoing work with nursing homes represents a strategic focus for future research translation.

As a core SPARC member, Dr. Smith facilitates weekly cross-institutional knowledge exchange on emerging pathogens and stewardship practices, bridging clinical, public health, and academic sectors to address healthcare-associated infections statewide.