For more than 20 years, The Smith Infectious Diseases Foundation has been dedicated to aiding those less fortunate by conducting research, investigations and clinical efforts in the area of infectious disesases, in Newark as well as around the world.
For more than 20 years, the Smith Infectious Diseases Foundation has been dedicated to aiding those less fortunate by conducting, supporting and encouraging research, investigations, studies and clinical efforts in the area of infectious diseases, their origination, contagion and cure, in Newark and surrounding areas, as well as around the world. We are a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and gladly accept and appreciate all donations.
Dr. Smith founded The Smith Infectious Diseases Foundation more than 20 years ago as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization to further the field of infectious diseases and support the research that is still required to combat the spread of infectious disease, while enhancing clinical and medical care capabilities in Newark and surrounding areas.
The Foundation has funded ongoing research at institutions such as Georgetown and Yale, and has provided for the establishment of a medical clinic in Newark, which became the first viral diagnostic lab in New Jersey and one of the largest H.I.V. and Hepatitis C clinics in the United States. (Years earlier, Dr. Smith and his lovely wife, Peggy, helped establish the Queen of Angels Family Health Service, the first free medical clinic in Newark.)
The size and scope of the Foundation’s work has steadily expanded over the years. Accordingly, the mission of the Foundation has evolved and it exists today “to conduct, assist, encourage and develop scientific, technical, medical, and non-medical research, investigations and studies for the benefit of the public in the general area of infectious diseases and their origination, contagion and cure; to conduct lectures and seminars; to collect data and information; and to publish scientific, technical, medical and other significant reports.” And the needs are growing…
Dr. Leon G. Smith is among the most well-known and respected infectious disease specialists in the United States. Dr. Smith is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Georgetown Medical School and has trained at the National Institutes of Health (where he was an Infectious Disease Fellow) and as a medical resident at Yale Medical School. Dr. Smith came to Newark in 1962 after completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale, becoming the first, and only, specifically trained infectious disease specialist in New Jersey.
Today, Dr. Smith is Past Chairman of Medicine and Past Chief of Infectious Diseases at Saint Michael’s Medical Center in Newark where he has served for 48 years. Dr. Smith also founded and was Chairman of the Residency Program in Internal Medicine at Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education (which he established with then Seton Hall President, Dr. John Petillo), and is a Professor of Preventive Medicine/Community Health and Professor of Medicine at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In addition, he co-chairs the Bio-terrorism Task Force for New Jersey and is the founder of an information service for New Jersey physicians that provides free phone information on antibiotics, vaccines, and other infectious disease related topics.
Dr. Smith is a past president of the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases and has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Mastership Award presented by the American College of Physicians and the Mentor Award presented by the Infectious Disease Society of America. He has published over 250 papers and articles on infectious diseases and written many chapters in highly regarded books on the subject. He trained most of the practicing New Jersey infectious disease physicians and was voted by his peers as one of the "Best Doctors in America" for his diagnostic skills.
Dr. Smith’s professional life has been dedicated to serving the health care needs of others while specializing in preventing the spread of deadly infectious diseases, diagnosing and treating those who contract these illnesses. For over 40 years he has undertaken numerous clinical studies on new antibiotics, anti-viral and anti-fungal drugs and has developed one of the largest infectious disease programs on the East Coast. He serves on the advisory boards of many large pharmaceutical companies and lectures extensively on the application of new anti-microbial agents all over the world.
