Judith Smith, MD, PhD

Judith Smith, MD, is a UW Health Kids pediatric rheumatologist and a tenured associate professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology.

Dr. Smith diagnoses and treats children with a range of autoimmune conditions (disorders in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells), such as juvenile arthritis and lupus. She specializes in spondyloarthritis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine and nearby joints which drives her research to develop better treatments for the disease.

Working with children, Dr. Smith understands how important it is to put patients and families at ease and build trusting relationships. She listens closely to their symptoms and concerns and takes interest in their activities outside the clinic. To engage families in their child’s care, Dr. Smith provides education and information about the child’s disorder and offers several treatment options to best fit their needs.

Her goal is to help her young patients live a pain-free life, doing activities that bring them joy.

In her free time, Dr. Smith enjoys ballet dancing and synchronized figure skating.

It’s exciting to offer safe, new treatments to children who are suffering and then see them come back to the office feeling happy and much better.