Staff

Dr. Smith completed his undergraduate studies at Wabash College and Illinois College before he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan Chiropractic College in 1977. He practiced for two years in southern Illinois before moving to Gonzales in 1980, where he has maintained a successful private practice ever since.

Background
Dr. Smith and his wife Vera, have four sons, Shannon, Nathan, Matthew and Jonathan. When not working with patients, Dr. Smith spends his time as a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol US Air Force Auxiliary. He is the local squadron commander. Besides caring for his patients, flying is what he most enjoys.

Why did he choose chiropractic---

“In high school I suffered a football injury to my lower back which eventually caused me to suffer from severe bladder infections. These did not improve with conventional medical care. As a last resort, after years of suffering, I gave chiropractic a try and for the first time I started to get better. I have spent my career providing chiropractic care such that others can find wellness without medications and surgery. I treat my patients the way I treat my family with respect and compassion, but also with a deep respect for the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Chiropractic care facilitates that natural healing, boosts the immune system, and allows the body to maintain wellness. While chiropractic care and therapy help to relieve pain following an accident or injury, it is important that patients understand the need to maintain their health through on going care. We focus on nutrition, weight loss, exercise, healthy sleep habits and managing the effects of stress on the body. Patients often give me a list of health goals such as: Restored health - Increased Energy - Improved Sleep - Less Stress - Clearer thinking and better focus. That’s a big list, but Chiropractic Care allows the body to restore health and many patients reach their goals. I encourage you to come visit our clinic and talk about your goals. It is always a pleasure to serve our patients.” - Dr. Smith

Briana is a native of Birmingham, AL who found herself in Cajun Country after marrying in 2015. Before joining the Smith Chiropractic Team, she worked in Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, and Pain Management with a combined total of 6 years’ experience. As our current office administrator, she handles all financial planning with patients, including insurance verification and processing of referrals for outside imaging and specialists.

“My work, as part of the Smith Chiropractic Team, is most rewarding because of the miracles that happen here! I absolutely love our patients and this staff. We are a close-knit staff who takes the time to get to know our patients and their families on a first names basis. We strive to make sure that our patients always feel welcome, comfortable, and cared about. It is amazing to watch the transformations that happen within the walls of this clinic! Having been on both sides of healthcare, it is a wonderful change of pace to find patients who are eager and dedicated to reaching optimal health naturally! My entire family, including my two little boys, ages 3 and 1 treat with Dr. Smith.”

Giovanna has a background in front desk administration, and joined the Smith Chiropractic Team in 2015 as our front desk assistant. In 2016, she became interested in learning more about our therapy department and how it ran. In January of 2017 she made the switch from front desk assistant to Therapy Tech earning a Certified Clinic Chiropractic Assistant (or CCCA) certification. Giovanna now runs our therapy
department, which entails doing passive therapy, active therapy and also educating patients on their home care, which is all laid out by Dr. Smith. In 2017, Giovanna also received her certification in Chiropractic Radiographic
Technology, so you may also see her doing exams alongside Dr. Smith and doing X-rays.

Giovanna is a native of Chihuahua Mexico, but moved here with her family in 1996. Since then she has resided in Gonzales, and now considers it to be her second home. Giovanna is a 2012 graduate from East Ascension High School. In her spare time Giovanna likes to spend with her family and friends, going on hikes and finding new dessert recipes to bake.

Elienai, or Elie for short, is a native of Wisconsin. She moved to Gonzales in 2012 and is a graduate of East Ascension High School. She has been part of the Smith Chiropractic Team for 4 years, and is cross trained in many positions across the office, although she spends most of the time at the front desk as the first impression of our clinic and team.

Elie is one of our bilingual CA’s, so you can often find her assisting our Hispanic patients with paperwork or our self-check-in system, or translating for exams and adjustments.

She is currently enrolled in Baton Rouge Community College, working towards her nursing degree.

“I have always loved being able to help people in any way that I can, so working in the medical field is the perfect fit for me! I loved seeing the progress our patients make here at the office, and how happy they are to have discovered chiropractic care and its benefits!”

Kim has a background in business and worked as an administrative assistant for 5 years before making a life changing decision to become a massage therapist. Kim enrolled in massage therapy school in 2011 after working as the schools’ registrar and finding massage therapy and it’s benefits quite fascinating. Kim graduated from Moore Career College in 2012 as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and quickly began her new career at a local day spa. After working a while preforming relaxation type massages Kim felt as if she would have better success preforming massages in a medical based practice. That is when Kim found her home at Smith Chiropractic Clinic. Kim stared working for Dr. Smith as an LMT and rehab technician in March of 2013. After 3 years of working for Dr. Smith, Kim was certified as a Clinical Chiropractic Assistant (CCCA) through the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards. Later, Kim transitioned out of our rehab department and was certified as a Radiology Technician in April of 2017. While Kim still preforms massages in and out of our rehab department she spends most of her time assisting Dr. Smith.

Kim is a lifelong resident of Prairieville, LA and a 2006 graduate of St. Amant High School. In her down time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking her dog, cook outs, football, spoiling her niece, and enjoying the great outdoors.