By Mary Owen
Born and raised in a farming community, Richard Smilie grew up pulling weeds out of soybean fields and detasseling corn.
Today, the Stayton veterinarian works as a Congressional Fellow in Healthcare Policy in the office of U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“This year, I am committed to being the best congressional fellow that I can be,” said Smilie, owner of Santiam Veterinary Clinic.
“I believe it is incredibly important to be a force for good, and I seek to do my part to make the world a better place,” he added. “With this purpose in mind, I am continuing my search for the best way to go about making the biggest impact and a real difference.”
The road to Capitol Hill began when Smilie as a young lad realized that access to a veterinarian was not guaranteed in under-served areas, an observation that led him to an exemplary career in veterinary medicine.
“I’ve really always wanted to do this,” Smilie said news release from the AAAS or Advancing Science Serving Society. He has drawn some inspiration from his local member of Congress, Kurt Schrader, a Democrat who is the only veterinarian serving in Congress. Smilie, 45, will be assigned to a congressional office for his fellowship year.
Smilie graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, and at age 23, became the youngest veterinarian in the nation, a distinction he retained for two years.
He was then recruited by Ohio State University, where he completed his master’s degree in veterinary clinical sciences, earned his residency certificate, and taught for five years.
Returning to Oregon in 1996, Smilie owned three different practices and shared his knowledge and expertise with more than 75 veterinary practices as a relief doctor.
“A crucible representing the epitome of diverse experiences,” he said. “In rural farm animal practice, I traveled to farms and ranches to treat sick animals, and to solve herd health and farm management problems.”
Smilie likened his “country” veterinary practice to well-known English veterinarian James Herriot’s practice reflected in Herriot’s best seller, All Creatures Great and Small.
“As much as I loved my veterinary practice, I felt that I had taken it about as far as it could go,” Smilie said of his decision to apply for an American Association of Advancement of Science and Technology fellowship.
“My contributions to my community are among my greatest sources of pride. My special professional interest in public health combined with my experience, gives me the perspective and scope that I can use as a force for good.
“I look forward to, and understand the importance of, serving our nation, my profession, and the world of science in increasingly meaningful ways,” he said.
Smilie is one of three veterinarians sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association for the fellowships, and the first and only Oregon veterinarian in the 23-year history of the program.
He has a particular interest in the intersection of animal and human health and noted that 3 out of 4 infectious diseases in humans have origins in animal populations.
The S&T Policy Fellows Roster of 255 includes 180 first-year and 75 second-year fellows in the executive branch. Smilie joins 34 other congressional fellows, most of them sponsored by partner scientific and engineering societies, he said.
“The goal of the program is to build a cadre of policy-savvy scientists and engineers,” he said.
“Many stay in Washington to take up permanent positions on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies where they continue to offer a scientist’s tools and perspectives on many of the most urgent issues of the day. These include food safety, clean water, energy and climate, infectious diseases, and national security.”
Smilie is especially glad to be working for Wyden, whom he considers a national leader in healthcare policy.
“I had several offers from other congressional offices, but I turned them all down to work for Senator Wyden, because he truly is the best,” Smilie said.
“I wish that all Oregonians could be here with me, and could appreciate what I see.”
Smilie has already met challenges since moving to the nation’s capital in August.
“The day I flew into D.C., there was an earthquake,” he said. “That weekend, there was a hurricane.”
On the up side, Smilie also met all four astronauts from the last NASA space shuttle mission and the founder of the Holocaust Museum in that same week.
Regardless, Smilie is quick to say, “The AAAS Congressional Fellowship has not disappointed me.
“Consistent with a lifelong thirst to stretch my limits and to continuously learn, I have always had a true appreciation for the value of service, education and professional development.”
Smilie said he has always felt his calling to be in public health, “where human and animal intersect,” a calling he incorporated into his own veterinary practice.
When his clients leave the office, they have “a much better understanding of how to care for both their animals and themselves,” he said.
Smilie soon will be joined in Washington, D.C., by his wife, Sharon and their “four-legged family” of dogs and cats.
