Catching up with Kate Smiley, MD
It seems unreal to say that it's been 5 years since the University of Utah was my home. A lot has happened since then! My family moved to Bloomington, IN after graduation in June 2019, just my husband Clint, baby Viviane, and me. I was fortunate to join a very supportive group there and had a wonderful first time attending experience doing general surgery, breast surgical care, and growing my robotics skills. A whole pandemic and a new baby later, and I began to hear rumors about a general surgery job at Park City Hospital. After the immense impression left on us by our first time living in Utah, Clint and I agreed that this was not an opportunity to be overlooked!
Fast forward almost three years, and the four of us are living in the Wasatch Back. My husband Clint is a singer songwriter, playing private shows regionally and entertaining guests again this winter at Snowed Inn at Park City Mountain Resort. Our residency baby daughter Viviane is now six, and loves being a Daisy Scout, dancing ballet, and showing executive leadership skills with her little brother. Forest Henry is three (and a half!) and loving his first year at Montessori with big sis. He is dedicated to his matchbox car collection and generally causing chaos. Both kids are ready for ski season after a long summer of hiking, camping, national park trips, and gardening. We added five backyard hens to the family this Summer, and those girls really keep us laughing. I am trying my hand at being a Girl Scout leader for Vivi's troop, counting my blessings that deductible season and cookie season are not at the exact same time!!!
My work life is growing busier as our population in Park City continues to boom. I joined two excellent partners at Park City Hospital, Dr. Josh Morgan and Dr. Danielle Adams, who is a graduate of the U as well. The first time we operated together, she and I agreed that the surgical training had not really changed; we both had STELLAR preparation for life as surgeons. After being told that Park City was "too small for a robot", we welcomed our DaVinci Xi "Moose" to the surgical family in July 2023, and the fun continues. I have a growing breast cancer practice as well as new learning opportunities in local leadership as a department chair. Our general surgeons also cover the nearby Heber Valley Hospital, a critical access facility, and this has been an exercise in finding creative solutions to keep our patients safely close to home, with an enthusiastic team. After training at a place with every amenity and subspecialty, rural practice is fulfilling and challenging in very different ways. It's quite common to run into my patients at the grocery store or even while skiing! I feel lucky to have found this job and for the many, many people who worked hard to prepare me for it, and encouraged me along the way.
To anyone who might read this and is still in their residency years: you will not believe how fast this time will go. You will survive it. You will do great things for many people, and you will save lives. You are already making a difference every single day! I wish all of my former co-residents, attending surgeons, nursing and surgical administrative friends from the U a very warm and healthy holiday season, and hope to run into you down the road again.
Keep smiling,
Kate