William Smith

William Smith, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), affiliated with the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and the School of Medicine. He provides clinical care at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) for inpatient psychiatry and at UCSF for outpatient geriatric psychiatry, with a specialized focus on older adults living with HIV.

Dr. Smith's educational background includes:

• BS in Chemistry from Northeastern University (2012)
• MD in Medicine from Harvard Medical School (2018)
• Psychiatry residency at UCSF (completed 2022)
• Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship at UCSF (completed 2023)

Dr. Smith has developed specialized expertise in several key clinical areas. His primary clinical interests include caring for older LGBTQ+ adults, HIV and aging, acute psychiatry, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. During his residency, he completed area of distinction programs in both LGBTQ+ mental health and Clinical Neuroscience, establishing a strong foundation for his work at the intersection of geriatric care and gender identity. His research and clinical work address critical gaps in mental health care for aging LGBTQ+ populations, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced by older adults living with HIV.

Dr. Smith's publication record demonstrates an evolving research trajectory that began with significant contributions to biochemistry and cancer research, particularly in the development of histone deacetylase inhibitors, before transitioning to focus on psychiatric care, ageism, and LGBTQ+ mental health. His most recent work centers on narrative approaches to mitigate ageism in healthcare and affirming gender identity for patients with serious mental illness, reflecting his commitment to addressing systemic biases in medical practice.

Dr. Smith has received notable recognition for his clinical and teaching excellence:

• Laughlin Award for Clinical Excellence (UCSF, 2021-2022)
• Resident Teaching Award (UCSF, 2019-2020)

While specific details about his advising and grant activities are not prominently featured in the available information, Dr. Smith's clinical work with vulnerable populations suggests a strong commitment to mentorship and community-engaged scholarship. His dual focus on geriatric psychiatry and LGBTQ+ mental health positions him as a valuable resource for trainees interested in these specialized areas of care.

Dr. Smith is actively involved in clinical care at two major UCSF-affiliated institutions: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for inpatient psychiatry services and UCSF's outpatient geriatric psychiatry program. His work with older adults living with HIV represents a specialized niche that addresses the complex intersection of aging, mental health, and chronic infectious disease.