Rate My Professor Benjamin Smith

Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, is Program Director, Associate Dean, and Associate Professor in the School of Physician Assistant Practice at Florida State University College of Medicine. His robust academic background includes a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) with an education concentration from the University of Lynchburg (2019), a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) with an education concentration from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (2018), a B.S. in Physician Assistant (Summa Cum Laude) from the Medical College of Georgia (1999), a B.S. in Biology (Cum Laude) from the University of Georgia (1997), and an A.S. in General Science (with Honors) from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (1995). Certified as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) and Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (DFAAPA), Smith brings over 25 years of clinical expertise from his role as Physician Assistant in Rheumatology at McIntosh Clinic, P.C. (1999-2024).

Smith's leadership extends across national organizations, including serving as President of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP)/American College of Rheumatology (2011-2012), member of the American College of Rheumatology Board of Directors (2025-present), Treasurer of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (2025-present), Secretary of the NCCPA Health Foundation (2022-present), Chair of the American Academy of Physician Assistants Commission on Continuing Professional Development and Education (2015-2018), and member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Rheumatology Specialty Board (2014-2019). As co-Principal Investigator with England BR, he led the development of the 2022 American College of Rheumatology guideline for exercise, rehabilitation, diet, and additional integrative interventions for rheumatoid arthritis. Key publications include co-authorship on the 2025 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pending publication), 2024 ACR Guideline for the Screening, Treatment, and Management of Lupus Nephritis (Arthritis Rheumatol, 2025), Profile and Attributes of Physician Assistants/Associates in Rheumatology (Arthritis Care Res, 2025), 2022 ACR guideline for vaccinations in rheumatic diseases (Arthritis Care Res, 2023), and a chapter on Rheumatology in Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants (2022). Through these contributions, Smith has shaped guidelines, certification standards, and education in physician assistant practice and rheumatology.