Dr.
Kelly Smith
Research Director, Centre for Vulvar Health & Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Gynaecologic Specialties
Biography
Dr. Smith has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Queen’s University and completed fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and the University of British Columbia. She has been funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Canadian Pain Society, and National Vulvodynia Association, and has authored several publications in the area of women’s health and vulvar pain.
Teaching
Sexual health interviewing for medical students.
Research Interests/Skills
Dr. Smith’s research is focused on women’s vulvar and sexual health. Her research has largely been on vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain), including the pregnancy and post-partum experiences of women with this condition. Dr. Smith is the Research Director for the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program and the Research Director for the proposed Centre for Vulvar Health.
Publications
Smith, K.B., Sadownik, L.A., Basson, R., Isaacson, J., Brotto, L.A. (2016). Clinicians’ perspectives and experiences regarding obstetrical care of women with vulvodynia. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, in press.
McBride, H.L., Olson, S., Kwee, J.L. Klein, C, & Smith, K.B. (2016). Women’s postpartum sexual health program: A collaborative and integrated approach to restoring sexual health in the postpartum period. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, epub ahead of print.
Smith, K.B., Iezzoni, L., Kilbridge, K., Pajolek, H., Colson, K., & Park, E.R. (2015). Body image perceptions among women with pre-existing physical disability who developed breast cancer: A qualitative exploration. Psycho-Oncology, 24, 1826-29.
Brotto, L.A., Yong, P., Smith, K.B., & Sadownik, L.A. (2015). Impact of a multidisciplinary vulvodynia program on sexual functioning and dyspareunia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12, 238-47.
Sporn, N., Smith, K.B., Pirl, W.F., Lennes, I.T., Hyland, K., & Park, E.R. (2015). Sexual health communication between cancer survivors and providers: How frequently does it occur and which providers are preferred? Psycho-Oncology, 24(9), 1167-73.
Brotto, L.A., Basson, R., Smith, K.B., Driscoll, M., & Sadownik, L. (2015). Mindfulness-based group therapy for women with provoked vestibulodynia. Mindfulness, 6(3), 417-432.
Smith, K.B. & Pukall, C.F. (2014). Sexual function, relationship adjustment, and the relational impact of pain in male partners of women with provoked vulvar pain. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 1283-1293.
Basson, R. & Smith, K.B. (2014). Invited Article: Incorporating mindfulness meditation into the treatment for provoked vestibulodynia. Current Sexual Health Report, 6, 20-29.
Smith, K.B., Wang, D.L., Plotkin, S.R., & Park, E.R. (2013). Appearance concerns among women with neurofibromatosis: Examining sexual/bodily and social self-consciousness. Psycho-Oncology, 22, 2711-2719.
Smith, K.B., Pukall, C.F., & Chamberlain, S.M. (2013). Sexual and relationship satisfaction and vestibular pain sensitivity among women with provoked vestibulodynia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10, 2009-2023.
Smith, K.B., & Pukall, C.F. (2011). A systematic review of relationship adjustment and sexual satisfaction among women with provoked vestibulodynia. The Journal of Sex Research, 48, 166-191.
Grants
Etiology of dyspareunia in endometriosis. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant, 2015-2018, PIs: Yong, P. & Mohamed, M.A. Co-Is: Brotto, L.A., Huntsman, D.G., Lisonkova, S., & Smith, K.B.
North America’s first Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program: Establishing a program of research to improve genital pain in BC women. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute 2015 Innovation and Translational Research Award, 2015-2017 PI: Brotto, L.A. Co-Is: Smith, K.B., Sadownik, L.A.
Innovations in gynaecologic specialties: Translating science into improved health for Canadian women. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Dissemination Grant, 2013-2014 PI: Brotto, L.A. Co-Is: Allaire, C., Cundiff, G., Geoffrion, R., Lazare, D., Money, D., Smith, K.B., Wilkie, D., Williams, C., &Yong, P.
Integrated mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy versus cognitive behaviour therapy for provoked vestibulodynia. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant, 2012-2015, PI: Brotto, L.A. Co-Is: Basson, R., Bergeron, S., Grabovac, A., Sadownik, L., & Smith, K.B.
Fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and pain outcomes among women with vulvodynia. National Vulvodynia Association Medical Research Fund, 2012-2014 PI: Brotto, L.A. Co-Inv: Smith, K.B., Sadownik, L., & Basson, R.
Sexual and relationship functioning among lesbian and bisexual women. Lesbian Health Fund, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, 2008-2009 PI: Smith, K.B. Co-Inv: Pukall, C.F.
Sexual and relationship functioning among lesbian and bisexual women. Advisory Research Committee, Queen’s University, 2007-2008 PI: Pukall, C.F. Co-Inv: Smith, K.B.
Relationship issues in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. National Institutes of Health, Operating Grant, 2005-2007 PI: Nickel, J.C. Co-Inv: Tripp, D.A., Pukall, C.F., & Smith, K.B.
Projects
Awards
Select Awards
Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Award, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 2011-2014
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award, Canadian Pain Society, 2012-2013
Conference Fellowship Award, American Psychosocial Oncology Society, 2011
New Investigator Award, International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, 2010
Doctoral Award, Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Program, 2008-2009
Student Poster Award Honourable Mention, Society for Sex Therapy and Research, 2008
Best Clinical Research Poster, Canadian Pain Society, 2008
Student Research Award, Society for Sex Therapy and Research, 2006
Canada Graduate Scholarship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, 2005-2008