Dr. Sharla Smith

Dr. Sharla Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Kansas City. Dr. Smith earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Health Services and Systems Research from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a health services and systems researcher that has been working in public health since 2006. Her current research focuses on Black maternal and infant health and community engagement. Dr. Smith is passionate about developing a culture of birth equity through community engagement, empowerment, and education. Dr. Smith is the co-founder of the Kansas Sisters and Brothers for Healthy Infants, a partnership between the University of Kansas School of Medicine and members of Black Greek Letter Organizations, that aims to increase awareness and education on Black infant mortality. Dr. Smith is the founder and director of the Kansas Birth Equity Network, a community-centered network that creates equitable solutions to improve Black maternal, paternal, and infant health in Kansas. Dr. Smith has experience teaching public health policy and law, introduction to public health, introduction to health policy and politics, and designing public health interventions. She advises students and serves as a faculty mentor on Master and PhD-level research projects.