A family practice physician who has worked at Reliant Medical Group in Holden for decades, Dr. Stephen Smith thinks of himself as a small-town doctor. “We try to keep things personal here in Holden, it’s just the way we are,” he explains. “We take great pride in our medical capabilities and the fact that we provide some of the best health care in the world, but work hard to maintain that friendly, small-town atmosphere which our patients really love. I’m proud to say we treat every patient here as if they were a member of our own family.”

As an experienced family practice physician, Dr. Smith has had the opportunity to take care of many multi-generation families over the years. “There is one family that I take care of that is five living generations – the youngest member is about two months old and the oldest is 102. When a family puts that level of trust in you for their care, it’s really something special.”

Talking to Dr. Smith, one senses that he is as passionate about practicing family medicine today as the day he first started. “I find the variety of patient care experiences here fascinating. As a family physician I get to practice pediatrics, geriatrics, internal medicine, gynecology, psychology and more. Most importantly, the connections I make with my patients here are truly enduring, and that is very important to me.”

A graduate of Williams College and UMass Medical School in Worcester, for Dr. Smith the greatest satisfaction in being a doctor is making a difference in someone’s life. “When a patient shakes your hand and thanks you after helping them through a tough illness it can be a very moving experience – it reminds you why you became a doctor.”

When he’s not busy attending to his patients in Holden, Dr. Smith loves spending time with his wife and family. He enjoys taking his two boys hiking and canoeing as well as other outdoor pursuits. During the spring and summer, Dr. Smith also enjoys trout fishing in local streams and is actively involved in Trout Unlimited, an organization that protects coldwater fisheries. He is also involved in alumni affairs at Williams College, and coaches youth baseball.