Jamila Smith-Young, DNP, MPH, CPNP-AC
Dr. Jamila Smith-Young is a nurse practitioner with a certification in pediatric acute care. She is a native Memphian and has spent over 15 years in the healthcare field specializing in Endocrinology and
Pulmonology. She currently practices as a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital focusing on diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Dr. Smith-Young contributes to the careers of current and future nurse practitioners as an Assistant Professor and mentor in the College of Nursing at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). She serves as a co-investigator on a number of clinical research projects related to pediatric diabetes, hypothyroidism and most recently a $1.5 million HRSA grant focusing on social determinants of health and health equity. She is the program lead for EMPOWER, a clinic focusing on treating type 2 diabetes patients.
Dr. Smith-Young earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and in Nursing from Baptist College of Health Sciences. She expanded her nursing career early on by obtaining a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and in Public Health from Walden University. She later earned a doctoral degree in Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Dr. Smith-Young was named Pediatric Nurse Practitioner of the Year (2024) by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Blues City Chapter. She most recently was recognized as a 2025 American Heart Association of the Mid-South Woman of Impact honoree. She is the founder of Forward 901, an organization whose mission focuses on enhancing the overall quality of life in Memphis by supporting programs, activities, and events for youth and disadvantaged populations. Dr. Smith-Young enjoys playing tennis, cooking, traveling and serving in the Memphis community with her spouse and two children.