This was supposed to happen nine months ago.
Last September, Phil Smith, M.D., professor of internal medicine, division of infectious diseases, and medical director of the Biocontainment Unit, sent an email to Infectious Diseases Chief Mark Rupp, M.D., outlining his plans to step away from patient care and focus more on teaching in the College of Public Health.
Three days later, Nebraska Medicine’s first Ebola patient, Rick Sacra, M.D., arrived.
Dr. Smith’s vast accomplishments
Dr. Smith arrived at UNMC in 1977 and immediately noticed an absence of training in infection control. That’s when he established the Nebraska Infection Control Network, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. He also became interested in infectious disease control in nursing homes and wrote a book about it.
While serving as chief of the division of infectious disease (1998 – 2011), he was one of the champions of building a state-of-the-art biocontainment unit, which became the nation’s largest when it opened in 2005.
“Phil is best known for his more recent work in the biocontainment unit and care for patients with Ebola virus, but he has given tremendous service to the Nebraska Medical Center for several decades,” Dr. Rupp said.
Among his more noteworthy accomplishments:
- Founding the Nebraska Infection Control Network, for which he received an award from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services;
- Receiving the Robert Sparks Award for his work in public health;
- Being named a UNMC Distinguished Scientist; and
- Serving as a consultant to the CDC and State of Nebraska.
Fast forward to a slightly altered version of the original plans. As of June 30, Dr. Smith reduced his work hours by 20 percent to share his Ebola expertise with other health professionals around the country.
Dr. Smith and the leadership team of Nebraska’s Biocontainment Unit (NBU) were thrust into the national limelight last year when three people who had become infected with Ebola arrived in Omaha for treatment. The team provided such stellar treatment that President Barack Obama called it “world-class care” in the Ebola fight.
Since then, the disease has become front and center in Dr. Smith’s life.
First, the leadership team was called to create online, downloadable Ebola education courses and share its gold standard of treatment. Then, Dr. Smith was invited by U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse to attend the President’s State of the Union Address.
Last month, Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center, in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, was selected as one of nine health departments and associated partner hospitals to create a new network to respond to outbreaks of severe, highly infectious diseases.
In the latest development, Dr. Smith will devote much of his time to his new role as one of three principal investigators of the National Ebola Training and Education Center (NETEC), which was announced last week. He will work with co-investigators at Emory University in Atlanta and Bellevue Hospital Center in New York to bring 55 U.S. hospitals to a higher level of preparation for Ebola and other infectious disease threats.
As part of NETEC, Dr. Smith and his team will spend one-half of their time traveling, defining preparedness metrics, developing learning material repositories, and holding telemedicine conferences.
Despite his ever-evolving roles, Dr. Smith says he’ll still renew interests in poetry and genealogy, as well as travel and spend time with his wife, Sherry, and three sons.
Dr. Smith shares a few of his poems.
“Medicine is a humbling field and I feel privileged to work in it – some people take themselves too seriously,” he said. “Doctors, and all health care workers, have the sacred privilege of sharing the most private aspects of a patient’s life. We honor that trust by compassionately listening to the patient, and optimizing the knowledge and skills we bring to bear on their illnesses.
“My philosophy is we’re all here for a limited amount of time. The most important connection is with your fellow man. The unforgiveable sin is arrogance.”
I have enjoyed my collaborative relationship with Dr. Smith over the years and look forward to continued interactions as he moves into this new role. I wish him all the best. Pete
Dr. Smith,
Working with you in Biocontainment has been invaluable and such a privilege. I cannot wait to see the many great things you will do at Emory and all across the nation. Your knowledge and skill set are only surpassed by your kindness and caring heart. We are all so proud!
Kendall Ryalls, RN, BSN
We are humbled to work with and learn from Dr. Smith. He is a class act.
An incredible man – wonderful caregiver and outstanding teacher and mentor.
In addition to his many medical achievements, Phil is the most caring cousin and uncle in the world. Yay! Yay! Yay! from the family cheerleaders, young and old, near and not-so-near! He's definitely earned his spot in the family storytelling tradition!