Dr. Ellison Leon Smith, MD

I have been Dr Smith's patient for four years and am very pleased with his skill as a physician and his interaction with me as a person. His knowledge of RA is current, he is proactive and he and his nurse, Jeanie, are always pleasant and caring.

I was a patient of Dr. Smith several years ago, and the last apt with him was devastating. I had been suffering with fibromyalgia and some arthritis. He gave me an article written by some (I think Harvard) doctors basically that they deeply regretted giving fibromyalgia a name and place in medicine, which made me feel like a hypochondriac. He may have been angry because my internist had prescribed Hydrocodone which I eventually was able to quit. During the visit, I was very emotional and began crying because I was on my way after the visit to Chapel Hill Hospital to join my son who was going to disconnect all life support from his baby boy who had suffered for 2 months. Our baby died that evening as we had asked my son to keep him alive until we could get there to say goodbye. Dr. Smith seemed frustrated with my emotional state even though I had told him about my grandson. He basically was spoken and unspoken wanting me to suck it up. I saw no feeling or compassion in him.… I have not gone back to the practice because they won't let me change doctors within the practice. My pain is so much worse now, I have nothing to take for pain now that really helps. I cannot take nsaids except I am now trying childrens liquid Ibupropen which sometimes takes the edge off. Walking and arm strength are more and more difficult. I fear getting crippled. I have heard that Dr. Smith is in research a lot which may be the best place for him. I am sure he is a technically good doctor.

I agree with the other commenter who noted that Dr. Smith tends to type into the computer during the whole visit. Yep. But for me, that's just a function of his efficiency. I really trust and enjoy him. I actually find him to be very kind and personable, but I get why some might call him aloof or removed. He listens to me, answers my questions, explain options, and doesn't talk down to me. His nurse is a dream and the office is well-run.

He did not seem to respect me or to believe me when discussing my symptoms. He stared at the computer screen and typed most of the appointment time, without looking at the patient. Beware, when a patient calls for a first appointment, he is assigned to the first available doctor, and cannot change doctors within the practice at any time. The office is run efficiently, but I never felt like anyone in the practice cared about me or my disease.

Dr. Smith is an excellent physician and has taken care of me for 10+ years. I have a very rare autoimmune disease and he has saved my life more than once. He is thorough, caring and is always willing to listen to the patient's concerns and thoughts. I trust him implicitly.

I I have a very rare condition that has taken a turn for the worse recently. I was referred to Dr. Smith and I am so glad I was. He is very informed on my illness and for the first time, I did not have to educate one of my doctors!! He listened to me and tried to work treatment option around my life. I am so pleased to have finally found a doctor that seems to get it!