Dr. Smoak is a leading public figure in the global medical community, having served as Chair, World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), the 155th President of the American Medical Association, and President and Chairman of the South Carolina Medical Association. Dr. Smoak is a two term  Governor to the American College of Surgeons. He earned a B.S. and D.H.L with Honors from the University of South Carolina and M.D. and D.S. with Honors from the Medical University of South Carolina.