Dr. Edith F. Smith Rayford is the Region III Chair of the National Medical Association and immediate past treasurer for Region III. She completed her chief residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Albert Einstein in Philadelphia, PA. She received her M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN where she also completed her internship and started residency. Her undergraduate education was at Tougaloo College in MS with scholastic internships at Yale University in New Haven, CT and The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Her passion for advancement in the business and administration area of medicine inspired her to acquire a physician executive MBA from University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, a Distinguished Alumni at Meharry and a Hall of Fame Alumni Inductee at Tougaloo College.
Post training, Dr. Smith Rayford decided to return to her home in Mississippi. She has devoted her professional career to community health. She serves as the Director of Central MS Community Health Services Southwest location. She also serves as Section Chief for Woman’s Health Services at Merit Central Hospital in Jackson MS; where she also serves on the Medical Executive Committee. Within the medical community, she is a tireless advocate for the underserved population and enjoys proctoring / attending / mentoring residents and students.
Dr. Smith Rayford is married to Richard Rayford, M.D., Ph.D. (Cardiologist). They have two children: Richard II & Margie (Meharry Medical College 2020 M.D. graduate), a daughter-in-law Simeona and two grandchildren – Richard III and Meona.
Turning AI Into Impact: The NMA Strategy for Innovation and Equity
Join the National Medical Association for an important conversation on how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare and how we ensure it advances equity, not disparities.
Hear from:
🔹 Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, 126th President of the NMA
🔹 Dr. Edmondo Robinson, Co-Chair, Task Force on AI
🔹 Dr. Charles DeShazer, Co-Chair, Task Force on AI
April 7, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
This is a must-attend discussion for physicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone invested in the future of medicine.
Register now: https://bit.ly/487GVop
#NMA #AIinMedicine #HealthEquity #HealthcareInnovation #PhysicianLeadership
The National Medical Association is raising urgent concerns about the growing public health crisis in Cuba, where power outages, fuel shortages, and limited resources are disrupting critical medical care and impacting vulnerable populations.
As physicians committed to health equity and global health justice, we affirm that health is a human right.
🔗 Read the full statement here: https://nmanet.org/press-release/national-medical-association-raises-alarm-on-public-health-crisis-in-cuba/
#NMA #HealthEquity #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthcareJustice
As we close out National Physicians Week, the National Medical Association proudly shines a spotlight on our extraordinary members, physicians who are leading, healing, mentoring, and advocating in communities across the nation.
Your commitment to advancing equitable care, your leadership in times of challenge, and your dedication to the patients and communities you serve do not go unnoticed.
Because of NMA members, progress is happening. Lives are being changed. Futures are being shaped.
Thank you for being the heart of this mission.
Let’s continue to uplift, support, and celebrate one another, not just this week, but every day.
#NationalPhysiciansWeek #NMA #WeAreNMA #PhysicianLeadership #HealthEquity
How are YOU celebrating National Doctors’ Day today?
At the National Medical Association, we’re proud to honor the incredible physicians who lead, serve, and advocate for healthier communities every single day and we want to celebrate with YOU!
Whether you’re recognizing a colleague, sharing your journey in medicine, or reflecting on the impact you make, we invite you to join us.
📸 Share your photos, stories, and moments
🏷️ Tag the National Medical Association in your posts
💬 Use #NationalDoctorsDay and #NMA
We can’t wait to highlight and celebrate our community together!
Today, we proudly celebrate National Doctors’ Day and honor the dedication, compassion, and excellence of physicians across the country, especially the incredible members of the National Medical Association.
Every day, you show up for your patients, your communities, and the future of healthcare. You lead with purpose, advocate for equity, and deliver care that changes, and saves, lives.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to advancing health, uplifting communities, and inspiring the next generation of physicians.
Today, we celebrate YOU.
#NationalDoctorsDay #NMA #HealthcareHeroes #PhysicianLeadership #HealthEquity
Join a community of over 50,000 dedicated African American physicians and professionals committed to making a positive impact on healthcare. Discover the benefits of NMA membership, access professional development opportunities, and become a part of a network dedicated to advancing health equity.
National Medical Association
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
