Larissa Smith, D.O., specializes in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN). “I enjoy both sides of OB-GYN but there is a special place in my heart for obstetrics. It is a joy to walk patients through their pregnancy journey and then help have a 'birth'-day party with them,” she said.

Dr. Smith chose OB-GYN as her specialty during medical school because she enjoys working with women and helping them improve their health. “The day your child is born is a day you will always remember and such a life changing event,” she said. “I enjoy being a part of that special day and watching families grow. I also liked improving other women's health and seeing them through different milestones in their life.”

Dr. Smith’s decision to work toward a career in health care did not come as a surprise. From a young age, she said she had an interest in science and medicine. Her choice was made solid once she realized she could combine some of her favorite interests, science and health care, and interacting with people. She goes on to add, “I also had a wonderful physician growing up that took care of me from birth to medical school. He is the one that encouraged me to pursue medicine.”

When it comes to her patients, Dr. Smith loves learning about everyone’s hobbies and connecting through stories of travel and adventure.

Some advice she likes to remind patients is to, “Don’t forget to take care of yourself. We, as moms, like to make sure everyone else is taken care of in our lives.”

When Dr. Smith isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She also loves gravel biking, snow skiing, running, gardening and fishing. “I have gone deep sea fishing, and also, once caught a 15-pound striped bass fish in Lake Texoma,” she said.