College of Medicine
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Carl V. Smith, MD

Professor

Carl V. Smith, MD

Specialty: Maternal-Fetal Medicine 

Clinic Appointments and Inquiries: Olson Center 402-559-4500

View Dr. Carl Smith's Nebraska Medicine provider profile.

Academic Office Contact: 402-559-2711

Leadership in Medical Education

Dr. Carl Smith has held numerous leadership roles in academic medicine, most notably as chair of the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2002-2025. He served as Chief Academic Officer for Nebraska Medicine (2018–2022) and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs (2010–2022), shaping clinical education and policy at the institutional level. His leadership extended to serving as President of UNMC-Physicians (2010–2018) and holding the Distinguished Chris J. and Marie A. Olson Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Smith has also contributed to curriculum development and accreditation, chairing committees such as the Promotion and Tenure Appeals Committee and participating in the LCME Accreditation Standards Committee. His influence is evident in his roles on executive committees, board memberships, and as a director of residency and clerkship programs, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing medical education. 

Academic Background and Teaching Impact

Medical Degree
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Naval Regional Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA

Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine
University of Southern California

Board-Certified
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Throughout his career, Dr. Smith has been deeply involved in medical student and resident education. He directed the OB-GYN residency program (1992–1999) and served as the associate residency program director and student clerkship director. His dedication to teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Award (1993) and the Council on Resident Education Teaching Award (1995).  His commitment to educational excellence is further reflected in his frequent invitations to present lectures and grand rounds on topics ranging from labor induction to maternal cardiac disease, both locally and nationally.
Dr. Smith’s distinguished career has been marked by numerous honors and awards. He has been recognized as one of “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists” by the Consumers’ Research Council (multiple years) and repeatedly named among the “Best Doctors in America.” His teaching excellence has been honored by the Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Council on Resident Education. Additional accolades include the Alpha Omega Alpha of Nebraska, AJOG Outstanding Reviewer, and military honors such as the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon and National Defense Medal. These recognitions reflect Dr. Smith’s sustained excellence in clinical care, education, research, and service.

Dr. Smith is widely recognized for his commitment to mentorship and professional development within academic medicine. Over the course of his career, he has guided numerous graduate students, serving as adviser and committee member for master’s candidates in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the 1990s. His mentorship has helped shape the careers of emerging physicians and researchers, fostering excellence and innovation in the field. 

Dr. Smith’s professional engagement extends beyond his institution. He has served as Chief Editor for Obstetrics at Medscape and as a reviewer for leading journals such as Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Professors in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Smith’s involvement in national and regional committees, board memberships, and advisory roles reflects his dedication to advancing the discipline and supporting the broader medical community. 

View publications for Carl Smith, MD.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Smith has contributed extensively to the field of obstetrics and gynecology. His research has been supported by grants such as the Olson Center for Women’s Health and federal Maternal/Child Health Block Grant Funds. Dr. Smith has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics including fetal monitoring, pregnancy complications, and maternal-fetal medicine, as well as non-peer-reviewed works, book chapters, and edited volumes. He has presented research at national and international conferences. Dr. Smith has also served as Chief Editor for Obstetrics at Medscape and as a reviewer for leading journals, further underscoring his impact on research and scholarship in his field.