MD, MSc
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Medical Director, UNC Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) Oncology Program
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control
AYA Cancer Program, Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Program
Meet Andrew Smitherman
Area of Interest
Through combined training in internal medicine and pediatrics, and subsequent training in pediatric hematology/oncology, Dr. Smitherman developed both research and clinical interests in improving survivorship care and outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.
As an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and the Medical Director for the UNC Lineberger Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program, he co-leads clinical programs (including the UNC AYA Cancer Survivorship Clinic) and initiatives to improve survivorship care and clinical research. His current work examines accelerated aging in AYA survivors using measures of frailty (phenotype and index), decreased muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance, D3 creatine dilution, and clinical imaging), physical function (timed up and go, grip strength), and biological biomarkers (p16INK4a and epigenetic clocks) to describe the impact of cancer and its treatment on the aging process in AYAs.
Learn more about the UNC AYA Cancer Program
Awards and Honors
- Triangle Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Young Adult Cancer Champion Award, 2021
- Saint Baldrick’s Fellow, 2013 – 2017