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.
📢 Upcoming Chair Chat Premiere - Don’t Miss This Critical Conversation
The National Medical Association is proud to share that NMA 126th President, Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, and Dr. Cynthia Swann, Vice Chair, Civil Rights Law Section will be speaking in an important Chair Chat titled: Deaths in Custody: Civil Rights, Accountability, and Oversight
🗓 Premieres: Thursday, December 18, 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
📺 Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RucCfXYgys
Deaths in custody raise urgent and complex questions about civil rights, transparency, and accountability. In this powerful discussion, Dr. Roger Mitchell, Jr. joins Dr. Cynthia Swann to examine how deaths in custodial settings are investigated and how those investigations impact legal outcomes, systems of oversight, and public trust.
Don't miss this event!
#NMA #NMALeadership #RogerMitchellMD #CivilRights #DeathsInCustody #HealthEquity #ForensicPathology #JusticeInHealthcare #PhysiciansForJustice
✨ REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! ✨
The National Medical Association (NMA) National Convention & Scientific Assembly is heading to Puerto Rico July 25–29, 2026! 🇵🇷
Join us for the largest gathering of Black physicians and healthcare professionals in the nation, where medicine, innovation, and advocacy converge.
This is more than a conference, it’s THE movement shaping the future of Black health.
REGISTER NOW and be part of the impact: https://www.mcievents.com/nma2026/
#NMA2026 #NMANationalConvention #BlackPhysicians #HealthEquity #MedicalEducation #MedicineMeetsAdvocacy #PuertoRico2026
🎉🎓Congratulations to the Climate & Health Equity Fellowship Class of 2025!
Five years strong, CHEF has now empowered over 50 physicians from 20+ states and U.S. territories to lead on climate and health equity.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4qxrYTF
#CHEFAt5 #NMA #ClimateAction #HealthEquity
The National Medical Association (NMA), is proud to highlight the leadership of our 126th President, Roger A. Mitchell Jr., MD.
This week, Dr. Mitchell had the honor of addressing the full membership of the Congressional Black Caucus, a powerful moment for advancing our shared commitment to eliminating health disparities and strengthening equity across America.
“What a great opportunity to present to the full membership of the Congressional Black Caucus the work of the NMA and the importance of Health Equity in America.” - Roger A. Mitchell Jr., MD, NMA 126th President
As the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians and their patients, the NMA remains steadfast in championing policies, research, and advocacy that drive meaningful change in our communities.
#HealthEquity #NMALeads #AdvocacyInAction #CongressionalBlackCaucus #MobilizingHealthcareJustice #NMA2025
NMA is now offering a seamless way to automatically renew your membership annually.
Renewing is easy. Use the following link: https://nmanet.org/join-nma/ then select "Click Here to Renew Membership"
*Please note, Postgrads and Students are not eligible for the auto-renewal option
Your membership will automatically renew in October of each year, and you will receive a reminder email before your card is charged. If you need to change your card information or would like to opt out, please email memberservices@nmanet.org or call (202) 347-1895.
We value your membership and look forward to your continued support of the National Medical Association.
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
