Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW

Health Equity Researcher 👨🏽‍💻 Therapist 🫂 HIV+ Advocate ⛑

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

I am honored to join as a speaker at the 2nd Health Equity Forum hosted at the @UN during #UNGA79. I look forward to engaging with other industry leaders about ways to collaborate as we work towards a healthier world for all. #healthequity #health #wellness #UNGA #SDG3

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@SiaraRouzer I almost flunked out of undergrad 🤣🤣🤣 final semester my grades were A, D, D 💀

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@andreharris89 💀💀💀

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@ourhermitage Omg I’m in this with my homies lmaoo

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

💀🙌🏾

[IChooseViolence @ourhermitage]

We’ve added Beyoncé too 🤣🤣

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

Learning about exciting new developments in HIV vaccine trials at the HVTN Full Group Meeting #hivvax

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@andreharris89 She be carrying boots. I just use it to edit … rarely lol.

[Mrs. Jennifer Lee McQueen (JBBalenciaga) @IJenniferbarnes]

HUGE SHOUTOUT TO @Apple 🤎💙🩷

“Ballroom to Boardroom: A conversation with Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga!”

#JenniferBarnesBalenciaga #PeopleLikeUs #AppleSVC #TransExcellence #VisibilityMatters #TDOV365 #GirlsLikeUs #AcademicEnthusiast #InspireTheNextGeneration #EquityShallPrevail

[DEACTIVATED @thrasherxy]

This is very sad, but I have some thoughts. I think Cecilia would have wanted the truth out there (I certainly do) as she didn't want anyone to feel shame about anything, but I think she'd be sad the major response is to arrest and prosecute the dealers. https://t.co/dD9rJW6T2u

[Ericka Boone, Ph.D. @DBRWDirector]

ICYMI: Did you know that there is a 13-month period which an investigator can submit the A1 resubmission application to retain ESI status? (THREAD🧵⬇️) #AcademicChatter #NIH

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

Unfortunately, I can relate. For this reason among many others, I’ve not been the biggest proponent of promoting PhD programs to those who have inquired. Something has to change because this is not sustainable.

[The REAL Dr. Dré @DrDre1914]

I hate to always sound like I’m complaining, but I also think it’s important to be transparent (to an extent) when it comes to the struggle of being a low income student in a PhD program. There are other disabled students who are considering a PhD and those who are also experiencing the same thing I am that could benefit in me sharing this openly, as I wish I had someone to share with me when I embarked on this journey.

.
Many of you know I have sickle cell disease, and because of that, take medications every day to keep me healthy. Since the Spring of 2023, I have been fighting with the Social Security Administration about my disability benefits. I receive a living stipend from my PhD program that offsets my expenses. It is less than $1700 after taxes. I’m grateful for it, but it isn’t an exorbitant amount. I report all my income to SSA and have tried to explain that this stipend is living expenses, but naturally they count it as income. Therefore, with my SSDI benefits + PhD stipend SSA deems me making too much money and wants me to pay back $6000. I’ve appealed this decision. However, this also means my benefit check has been cut AND now, it is impacting my Medicare coverage. I’m no longer eligible for Part D + Extra Help program where my prescription costs were generally $1-3. I refilled this script and AFTER Medicare, I am responsible for $822.72.

.
I bring this up because many automatically assume that if you’re receiving social security benefits that you’re “rich” and clearly that’s not the case. So much policy needs to change when it comes to access for disabled students. I should not have to worry about a living stipend ruining my life. Without it, I’d not be able to survive off social security alone in a city such as Houston. Rent and utilities are virtually impossible on a SSDI check less than $1100/month. Now, it has become a burden. No one, especially a disabled PhD student trying to struggle their way out of an already stressful academic environment should have to ever decide if they’re going to pay rent, buy groceries (because now I’m not eligible for food stamps), or buy their medication. Stuff like this forces people to drop out and work. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@andreharris89 Whew! This brought back some wretched memories! Please let me know if there’s any way I can help!

[d. d. d., drph, mph @ddriffin]

1,540 Black or African Americans recieved a doctorate in 2022. I am happy to say I will be included in the 2023 report. Who is next? #DrPH #Wedidit @PHGSU

[d. d. d., drph, mph @ddriffin]

Successfully defended my dissertation today! I’m a freaking Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)! My mother said I first mention wanting to be a doctor at 5. 32 years later… it’s done. Thank you to everyone!

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@klts0 💜

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

In the 44 year history of the @UofRSON PhD program, there have only been 4 Black men to have graduated from PhD program. Here we are, together at the 2023 @ANACnurses conference. @laron_nelson @Doc_Wharton @ooharrisphd

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

@ooharrisphd @UCSFNurse Wow! My experience was almost the polar opposite…. And I truly have you and many others who came before me to thank for such an experience. Thank you for all that you are and do! @ooharrisphd

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

Congratulations, Keletso!

[Keletso Makofane, MPH, PhD (he/him/his) @klts0]

MY FINAL DISSERTATION PAPER ACCEPTED!!!!

I can finally fully abandon my dissertation and start pursuing the ideas in it.

🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🕯️🏞️

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

"...replenishing tryptophan or serotonin in patients ... could treat long COVID symptoms... Serotonin levels could be restored, and memory impairment reversed, in small animal models through treatment with serotonin precursors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)."

[Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW @drmartezsmith]

Long-covid study:

"when tryptophan absorption is reduced by persistent viral inflammation, serotonin is depleted, leading to disrupted vagus nerve signaling, which in turn can cause several of the symptoms associated with long COVID, such as memory loss"

https://t.co/UF5NyAHDBD