Chances are good that you know – or know of – Brent Smith, MD, MSc, FAAFP. Along with being a family medicine leader in Mississippi, Smith is a welcoming presence at many AAFP and AAFP Foundation events; over the years, he has enthusiastically worked to strengthen our specialty. Among his many volunteer activities, Smith has served on the AAFP Board of Directors; he’s a former President of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees; he’s a mentor and faculty member with the Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute (ELI), and he serves as the Family Medicine Leads workgroup consultant co-chair.

Now, his resume includes a new and well-deserved title. Smith is the AAFP Foundation’s 2022 Philanthropist of the Year. The honor recognizes Smith’s exemplary philanthropy: He is a distinguished member of the Foundation’s Lifetime Giving Circle, has fully funded his first endowment, and is currently funding his second endowment to support ELI scholarships.

“Brent’s ongoing giving of his time, talent, and treasure is all the more remarkable considering this level of commitment has occurred in a gentleman who only completed medical school in 2009,” says David R. Smith, MD, MPH, FAAFP, and President of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. “Brent reflects a giving spirit, and has a talent for encouraging others to share their gifts. He leads by example.”

Smith, featured in this inspiring video, says he is honored by the award and hopes that physicians in all stages of their career – especially the younger family doctors – realize that when it comes to philanthropy, there’s no time to waste.

“A lot of times we look at philanthropy as a lifelong thing, or an end-of-life thing,” Smith says. “People too often say, ‘I’ll do that later.’ But, coming from a household that lost my father at a young age, I realize that there is no later. There is the now and you can have an impact now.

“What this award means to me is there is recognition that even small amounts early on can have a huge impact over time. And as family physicians, if we don’t, who will?"