Class of 1967 Joseph F. Smiddy, MD Altruism Award

The Class of 1967 Joseph F. Smiddy, MD Altruism Award was established in 2017 to honor the lifelong service of Dr. Joseph F. Smiddy and to recognize medical students who exemplify his spirit of selfless service. A pulmonologist by training, Dr. Smiddy graduated from CCS Tractor Trailer School and obtained a CDL license in order to drive tractor trailer medical mission vehicles. He is currently the Medical Director of The Health Wagon based in Wise, Virginia. The organization traverses the steep mountains of Appalachia providing free medical care to 9,000 indigent patients. Dr. Smiddy has also made over 40 medical mission trips to Belize and worked in India and Peru. In 2023, Dr. Smiddy was recognized by the UVA Medical Alumni Association with the Humanitarian Award.

Presented annually since 2019, the award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional generosity and commitment to others, often through significant volunteerism and leadership in initiatives that expand healthcare access and support underserved populations. Past recipients have founded nonprofits to increase educational opportunities for disadvantaged prospective medical students, organized programs to bring comfort and wellness to patients, and created platforms to improve access to free clinics and telehealth services. Some have focused on deeply impacting the local Charlottesville community, dedicating themselves to homeless healthcare through direct patient care and research, leading community health screenings for immigrant populations, providing free testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving overnight hours on community health call lines and coordinating follow-up care for underserved communities. One trained to provide haircuts to patients, demonstrating a commitment to caring for the whole person in a personalized and dignified way. As a member of the City of Charlottesville Department of Social Services Volunteer Advisory Board, another recipient helped deploy public toilets and hand sanitizer to minimize harm caused by increasing E.coli levels in public waters. Other honorees have extended their impact globally by delivering sustainable medical relief in international settings, learning multiple languages to speak with international patients in native tongue, honing construction skills to build latrine and cement floors for facilities, and providing medical education for sustainable healthcare. They have published research related to health disparities for the broader medical community, and championed outreach and mentorship programs for aspiring physicians. Collectively, these efforts reflect humility, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to addressing systemic barriers in healthcare, ensuring a lasting impact on local communities and beyond.

The Class of 1967 is deeply proud of and humbled by the impact of classmates like Joe and the enduring legacy of the award, which was established and has flourished through the generosity of the class and supportive donors. The Class of 1967 Joseph F. Smiddy, MD Altruism Award will continue to honor and inspire future generations of physicians to lead with humility, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to those in need.

This award will be presented to two fourth-year medical students who share Dr. Smiddy’s altruistic and service-oriented approach to medicine. Recipients will be chosen for displaying reasonable self-sacrifice and generosity in serving others. The recipients will each receive a cash award and a certificate.

** Nominations for members of the Class of 2027 will be accepted June-August 2026. **