About Dr. Rita Marie Smith

Dr. Rita Smith was introduced to CHOAIDS in 2019 while attending class at Florida State University (FSU) with founder and Executive Director Marie Denis-Luque. As a family nurse practitioner, Dr. Rita has spent her entire career of 30+ years caring for children as well as adults in various clinical settings. She has a passion for underserved children, especially adolescents, and is very excited to bring her public health and organizational experience to CHOAIDS. Dr. Rita takes seriously the blessings and talents God has bestowed and embraces the responsibility of sharing them and God’s love with others. Dr. Rita received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Master of Public Health(MPH) from FSU and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She currently works full time in an administrative role in Florida government as Chief Medical Officer to troubled youth and an Adjunct Professor at FSU teaching leadership to MPH students.