Ballard F. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.C.

Dr. Smith became Manatee County’s first Board Certified cardiologist in 1977. Dr. Smith received his medical degree from the University of Miami and cardiology training at the Mayo Clinic. As director of L.W. Blake Cardiology Center, he introduced echocardiography, exercise testing, Holter Monitoring, cardiac rehabilitation and sophisticated coronary care to our community. After teaming up with Dr. George Thomas to open the Bradenton Cardiology Center in 1984, they were able to bring cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery to this area for the first time. Dr. Smith’s areas of special interest include cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Medical Staff Education Committee and on the Board of Directors for Manatee Memorial Hospital, and also served as the hospital’s Chief of Staff. In addition, Dr. Smith was the President and Board Member for the Suncoast Chapter of the American Heart Association.