About
Dr. Lawson Smith is a board-certified family medicine physician and the founder of Paladin Family Practice in Winchester, Virginia. He earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine through the Shenandoah Valley Family Medicine Residency Program, affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University. His training covered outpatient medicine, clinical procedures, and point-of-care ultrasound.
Before medical school, Dr. Smith worked as an EMT. That experience shaped his belief that patients need to feel seen, heard, and respected. He also holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Tulane University, where he researched nutritional epidemiology and mental health. His original thesis examined dietary patterns and depression in older adults. He participated in a federally funded Photovoice study on health disparities in underserved neighborhoods, served as a teaching assistant in epidemiologic methods, and worked as a research assistant at Tulane's Center for Lifespan Epidemiology. That public health foundation shapes how he approaches prevention and chronic disease. He is passionate about catching illness early and reversing chronic conditions before they progress. Outside the clinic, he enjoys outdoor adventures, strength training, and martial arts. He values time with his wife and kids and believes that true health rests on strength, purpose, and connection.
Education & Training
Medical School
LSU School of Medicine
Residency
Family Medicine, Shenandoah Valley Family Medicine Residency Program (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Additional Training
Master of Science in Epidemiology, Tulane University; research in nutritional epidemiology and mental health; thesis on dietary patterns and depression in older adults; participated in federally funded Photovoice study on health disparities; teaching assistant in epidemiologic methods; research assistant at Tulane's Center for Lifespan Epidemiology; trained in point-of-care ultrasound
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Smith right for?
Dr. Smith works well with patients across all age groups, from newborns to older adults managing multiple conditions. Adults dealing with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, or heart disease benefit from his proactive, prevention-first approach. He also treats behavioral and mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Men interested in testosterone replacement therapy will find that service available as an add-on. Families looking for a single physician who knows every member well are a natural fit for his practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Smith treats a wide range of conditions across all age groups. His clinical focus includes diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, COPD, asthma, thyroid disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, obesity, arthritis, joint pain, and sports injuries. He also provides preventive care and wellness exams for children, adults, and seniors.
Yes. Dr. Smith holds board certification in family medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Shenandoah Valley Family Medicine Residency Program through Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Smith takes a proactive stance on chronic disease. He focuses on prevention and reversing conditions before they worsen, using evidence-based medicine and individualized care plans. His epidemiology training gives him a data-driven perspective on long-term health outcomes.
Yes. Dr. Smith sees patients of all ages, including newborns, children, and teenagers. Paladin Family Practice maintains a private, family-friendly office with no waiting rooms and a play area to make pediatric visits more comfortable.
Yes. Before becoming a physician, Dr. Smith worked as an EMT. That experience taught him the importance of making patients feel seen, heard, and respected, values that continue to shape how he practices medicine today.
Dr. Smith holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Tulane University. His graduate research focused on nutritional epidemiology and mental health, including an original thesis on dietary patterns and depression in older adults. He also participated in a federally funded Photovoice study on health disparities.
Yes. Dr. Smith offers testosterone replacement therapy as an optional add-on for $109 per month. That fee includes testosterone cypionate and needles. Lab work is an additional cost and not bundled into the TRT add-on.
Dr. Smith screens messages for urgency after hours. Members with urgent concerns receive a response as soon as possible. Non-urgent messages receive a reply the next business day. Members also have access to a 24/7 emergency line that reaches Dr. Smith directly.
Yes. Dr. Smith trained in point-of-care ultrasound during his residency. He uses this capability to support in-office evaluations when clinically appropriate.
Doctor profile last updated June 11, 2026