Dr. Jay W. Smith

1955 - 2016

Smith Dr. Jay Smith was born on March 21 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from LSU in 1977 and from LSU Medical School New Orleans in May 1982. He performed his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and was the recipient of the Lange Scholarship Award. Dr. Smith joined the North Oaks Medical Center in April 1990 and was promoted to the Medical Director of the Emergency Department(ED) in 1994. He was elected by the medical staff as it Chief of Staff in 1998. His passion for improving people's live and making a difference in the health of the citizens of south Louisiana is evidenced by his determined efforts to establish the ED as a certified Stroke Center and a Level II Designated Trauma Center. Dr. Smith earned North Oaks top physician award in 2014, as the Physician Leader of the Year. He was appointed by the governor to sit on the state-wide Louisiana Emergency Response Network Board to improve pre-hospital and ED care. Jay loved life and family which included his wife Melanie, and his son Alex and daughter Shelby along with brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He loved the outdoors, walking barefoot, working in his yard, and exploring nature. He set high expectations and worked tirelessly to accomplish them. He loved food, cooking, and art. Jay loved music and loved to dance. He will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life for Dr Jay Smith will be held at the E Brent Dufreche Conference Center at the North Oaks Medical Center, in Hammond LA from 2-5pm on Sunday July 24, 2016. In lieu of flowers please donate to the North Oaks Medical Center Foundation to assist patients and their families in the Emergency Department. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.