North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute Welcomes Cardiothoracic Surgeon William B. Smith, DO

Board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon William B. Smith, DO, has joined the North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute in Hammond and is accepting new patient referrals. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith, call 985-230-7350.

Dr. Smith joins renowned cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular surgeon, Dr. Jose Mena, in practice at North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute. They will work collaboratively to advance heart health care on the Northshore.

A veteran of the United States Air Force with a career encompassing 13 years of service, Dr. Smith achieved the rank of major before transitioning to the private sector. He comes to North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute from Singing River Health System’s Center for Cardiovascular Surgery in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Dr. Smith is certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Cardiothoracic surgery encompasses any surgical procedure that involves the heart, lungs or other structures within the chest. Some conditions require open surgery, but many can be treated with less invasive techniques.

Within his field of medicine, Dr. Smith specializes in adult cardiothoracic surgery, general thoracic surgery and robotic lung surgery. He takes a special interest in treating coronary artery disease, performing valve surgeries, aneurysm repairs, and utilizing minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques.

Of his care philosophy, Dr. Smith explains that it is most important to consider each patient’s overall health to address chronic and recurring cardiothoracic conditions in consultation with North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute’s cardiologists, as well as North Oaks Health System’s pulmonologists and internal medicine professionals.

“I value getting to know my patients and their loved ones,” Dr. Smith adds.

From an early age, Dr. Smith was interested in science – especially biology – and knew he wanted to work in a field that gave him an opportunity to help people.

“As a boy scout, I was introduced to family practice while working to earn a merit badge in medicine. I was sure that was the job I wanted to pursue until I encountered the surgical field during my clinical years in medical school,” Dr. Smith recounts. “I found it satisfying to use my mind and hands to help heal the body. It's truly a rewarding experience when the right decisions and technique culminate in the best results for my patients. I feel incredibly fortunate to practice this specialty of medicine.”

After earning his medical degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, Dr. Smith completed a five-year residency in general surgery at Keesler Medical Center on Keesler Airforce Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, followed by a two-year thoracic surgery fellowship through Ochsner Health in New Orleans. During his military career, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal among other decorations.

Dr. Smith is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and American College of Surgeons. Professionally, he belongs to the American Osteopathic Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.

Committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with future generations of physicians, Dr. Smith became a clinical faculty member and the cardiovascular thoracic residency rotation site director for Keesler Medical Center in 2018. He became an adjunct faculty member in 2021 for William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He also serves as a structural heart disease consultant and physician proctor.

Other North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute providers include Cardio-thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon Jose Mena, MD, FACS; Cardiologists Nidal Abi Rafeh, MD, FACC, Jherie D. Ducombs, MD, FACC, Bruce Ennis, MD, Georges Khoueiry, MD, William P. Kopfler, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and James M. Parker, MD, FACC, FSCAI; Physician Assistants Olivia Buquoi, PA-C and Donna Foster, PA-C; and Nurse Practitioners Alexandra Battalora, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C, Jean Genzale, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, CVNP-BC, Kristen King, DNP, AG-ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, Travis King, AGACNP-BC, and Jasmine Severan, FNP.

North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute is a department of North Oaks Medical Center. It is found in the North Oaks Clinic Building on the hospital’s campus at 15813 Paul Vega, MD, Drive, Suite 403 in Hammond.

Clinic hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.