
Michael W. Smith, MD

Internist, WebMD Medical Expert
WebMD
Internal Medicine
Bio
As medical director and chief medical editor at WebMD, Michael W. Smith, MD, is in charge of the medical team that is responsible for upholding the accuracy and credibility of WebMD content, including health news, features, videos, tools, and health reference information.
He first joined WebMD in 1999, and now oversees a team of staff physicians and medical reviewers across the U.S. responsible for creating content and assuring its continued medical accuracy and relevance to the WebMD audience.
Dr. Smith is a regular guest on The Weather Channel and is featured monthly on Fox 5 News in New York to discuss the latest health headlines. Other appearances include Fox News, MSNBC, CBS’ The Early Show, and Katie Couric's web-based show @KatieCouric, among others. In addition, he has appeared in multiple publications, including Men's Health, Newsweek, Forbes, and Reader's Digest and was featured as the Internet's Top Doc in USA Weekend. He has also been interviewed by local and nationally syndicated radio stations, magazines, and newspapers across the country, speaking on everything from hangover remedies to navigating the Internet for accurate, credible health information.
Dr. Smith also volunteers at the Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta, where he sees patients who do not have health insurance or are unable to pay for health care.
In 2012, Dr. Smith was selected to America’s Top Physicians by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
As a general internist, Dr. Smith's interest and knowledge span a wide array of medical topics. Arthritis is an area of personal interest to him, having developed ankylosing spondylitis in his college years. He is particularly interested in prevention and helping people live a healthy, active lifestyle and is an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer.
Dr. Smith graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Ga., in 1994, then did his internship in internal medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. He finished his internal medicine residency -- his final year as chief resident -- at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. He became board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and then entered private practice as a primary care physician. He is pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
Dr. Smith is a member of the American College of Physicians and the HealthLeaders Media Council.
Credentials
Organization Affiliations:
- Chief Medical Editor, WebMD
- American Board of Internal Medicine
- American College of Physicians
- American Medical Association
My Answers
When you get stressed, it's normal for your heart rate and blood pressure to rise. The rise in blood pressure can make your heart beat more...












