Rain Smith
Rain Smith is a senior at the University of South Florida majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. With a deep passion for equal access to healthcare across all populations, she is especially driven to advocate for women’s health. After graduation, Rain plans to apply to medical school to become a physician dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and breaking down systemic barriers for underserved communities.
This summer, Smith is engaged in two research projects through the SUMR program. In her first project with Dr. Beth Pineles, she is helping to identify and evaluate activity restriction recommendations for high-risk pregnancies by analyzing electronic health records using a natural language processing tool. Her second project, with Dr. Cutaia, examines how a sodium-restricted, medically tailored meal program affects symptoms and heart health in minoritized individuals with end stage kidney disease (ESKD), while also exploring how structural racism may influence the program’s effectiveness.
Throughout her time at USF, Smith has held leadership roles in organizations such as the National Society of Black Women in Medicine and Women of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow—both of which reflect her commitment to inclusive leadership and her mission to empower marginalized voices in healthcare. She believes true change begins with strong, empathetic leaders who champion equity and representation in every space.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, thrifting, paint by number kits, playing basketball, and crafting the perfect iced coffee.