Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2022

—Continued from page 13 What are some of your hobbies? Fly-fishing is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my husband, family and friends. It takes us to some of the most beautiful destinations on Earth. I also love hiking, skiing, mountain biking and water sports—just about anything that brings me outside. When I do find myself indoors, I like to paint and get crafty. What drew you to Kootenai Health? I know a number of people who have been a part of Kootenai Health before me. I have heard excellent feedback regarding both patient and employee satisfaction. As a large organization, there is more availability for quality and well- rounded health care within our community. What is your favorite healthy tip? Keep your body moving, even within whatever limitations you may have. Not only is it important for physical health, but it is also essential for your mental well-being. Schedule an appointment: Call (208) 625-6111 . Dustin Smyth, D.O. Kootenai Clinic Neurology Tell us a bit about you and your family. I grew up in eastern Kentucky as the son of a coal miner. My long- term partner, Elise McVeigh, is a new rheumatologist here at Kootenai Health. We have two goldendoodles. Why did you pick your specialty? Neurology was always something that was very interesting to me. I made the decision to subspecialize in neuromuscular medicine after volunteering at Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camps and helping kids with neuromuscular disorders, which was really life-changing for me. I drifted into adult care and adult neuromuscular disorder when I became a partial caregiver to my best friend with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since that time, I’ve been intimately involved in different ALS clinics as well as other multidisciplinary clinics that take care of things like chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, neuropathy, ALS, myopathies from muscle diseases and a whole litany of other things. I have always taken special interest in these sorts of neuromuscular diseases—how difficult it is to come to a firm diagnosis. I have found the relationships with my patients and practicing this type of medicine, which is fairly complicated, very rewarding. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? An energetic physician, friendly staff and a thorough physical exam, which is likely to be one of the most detailed you’re ever to experience. I like every meeting to be beneficial to the patient. As I always say, “Even if you were sent to me by mistake, I am going to make sure that you have a productive meeting, you get to the right person or we get to the bottom of everything that is within my power.” I am here to listen and work with you as a partner in helping come up with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, regardless of underlying disorders, whether they be fairly mild or severe. I am here to listen to your concerns and find an appropriate treatment plan and course of action that is amenable to everyone involved. My goal is to be approachable, clear in my explanations and reasoning and to practice the most up-to-date medicine available. 14