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Connelly-Smith
Laura S. Connelly-Smith, BPharm, MBBCh, DM

Laura S. Connelly-Smith, BPharm, MBBCh, DM

Hematology-Oncology

  • Medical Director, Apheresis and Cellular Therapy, Fred Hutch
  • Medical Director, Cell Processing Facility, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Laura Connelly-Smith is a hematologist-oncologist and researcher who sees patients undergoing blood and marrow transplant at the Fred Hutch, with a focus on complex post-transplant complications and improving cellular therapy and donor care.

Background

Dr. Connelly-Smith specializes in treating people with blood cancers, such as leukemia, using blood and marrow transplant (BMT). She cares for patients who develop complex complications after a BMT, requiring highly specialized, long-term management.

She is the medical director of Apheresis and Cellular Therapy at Fred Hutch, where she oversees the safe collection and processing of stem cells and other cellular therapy products. In this role, she is also directly involved in coordinating bone marrow donations and ensuring high standards of safety and quality for both donors and recipients.

Dr. Connelly-Smith researches how to improve the experience and safety of stem cell donation, as well as advancing care for patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition in which donor immune cells attack a patient’s healthy tissues after a transplant. She studies extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), a form of light-based therapy, as a treatment option for GVHD. Dr. Connelly-Smith chairs the ECP subcommittee for the American Society of Apheresis, contributing to broader guidance on the use of this therapy.

Area of Clinical Practice
Adult blood and marrow transplantation, hematologic malignancies

“The mark of a good day is being able to make a positive difference, whether big or small, in at least one person’s life.”

— Dr. Connelly-Smith

What do you enjoy about working in the field of stem cell transplantation?

The decision to undergo a stem cell transplant is a big one. For many patients, it’s one of the most intense medical treatments they will ever experience, and it may be their only chance of survival. I respect the time, thought and emotional energy that goes into choosing a transplant and then seeing the process through. One of the reasons I love going to work each morning is that I have the opportunity to live out my mantra: Make a positive difference in at least one person’s life every day. Sometimes that difference is big, like being able to tell a patient that their treatment has been successful, and sometimes it’s small — relieving someone’s headache or nausea or even just sharing serious news in a sensitive, caring way.

What’s it like to work with you?

Cancer care isn’t just about finding the right medication or therapy; it’s equally important to consider how that medication or therapy will affect your life. I put a lot of thought into plotting the best course of treatment for each person, which depends on a variety of factors, such as your type of cancer, your goals for treatment, the state of your health and your level of support. I’m very honest and open in my communication with you. I try to use a story-like approach to explain what’s happening because it makes it easier to retain information and participate in decisions about your care.

Diseases Treated

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood Disorders

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Leukemia

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; Hematology, Nottingham University Hospital; Hematology, Lincoln County Hospital

Residency, Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Medical Degree, University of the Witwatersrand

Undergraduate Degree, University of the Witwatersrand

Awards

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Ali Al-Johani Award
Dr. Connelly-Smith received the 2019 Ali Al-Johani Award, which recognizes excellence in clinical patient care.

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Connelly-Smith

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Connelly-Smith's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dieticians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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Stories

All news
Dr. Laura Connelly-Smith receives Dr. Ali Al-Johani Award for exceptional patient care
Dr. Laura Connelly-Smith receives Dr. Ali Al-Johani Award for exceptional patient care A hematologist who 'personifies the joys of working at a place like the Hutch' March 4, 2019

Contact Information

206.606.6938

206.606.1119