DR.
KOLETTE L. SMITH
INTERNAL MEDICINE
According to her mother, Dr. Kolette
Smith has been fascinated with the human body since the age
of two, so it seemed only natural for her to become a doctor.
In fact, she honestly never thought of doing anything else.
She finds both challenges and rewards in her medical practice.
"I like working with the difficult,
complex cases. It's a huge gratification to have a part in
the recovery of someone who is seriously ill. The inpatient
and outpatient consults most always pose a challenge and they
help me strive to continue to improve. We can learn something
from every patient if we're just receptive."
Family has always been important to Dr. Smith
and her husband. Labette County is home to them both and the
benefit of practicing in the hometown setting at Labette Health
is something that Dr. Smith appreciates.
"The local community warmth and
concern hasn't been matched elsewhere, no matter where my education
took us. Labette Health has a diverse medical staff. The diagnostic
equipment, medical facility, auxiliary staff and physician
support in this rural setting is exceptional. . Very rarely
does a patient have to seek resources in another institution.
My family had concerns that I might not feel challenged or
might be disappointed in the capabilities of a small rural
facility. But at Labette Health to date that has not been an
issue."
Although she has a very busy practice, spending
time with her husband and their four children tops Dr. Smith's
list of favorite activities. She especially likes practicing
in and living in this family oriented area where she can divide
her time between professional work and family--attending dinners,
school functions, or just going camping.
"My philosophy has always been,
'I love my family. I like my job.' At Labette Health I can
maintain that principle and still be happy in both roles. My
husband and I have been blessed to be able to live our goals
and dreams for our family in a community we truly feel is home." |