What makes our team different from the rest?
David G. Smith, MD
Like many of you reading this, Dr. David Smith is a transplant to Alaska. The mystery of life and professional practice in the 49th state lured him like those before him. To this point, since he still has family and a vein practice in Ohio, he only provides part-time per month to VSA patients.
Dr. Smith’s primary training is in Cardiology, but he has morphed into a very successful and experienced vein specialist. Prior to starting Smith Vein Institute in 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Smith had received his medical degree in 1991 from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Akron General Medical Center and his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the world-renowned Mt. Sinai Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. He began his medical career as a staff cardiologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit prior to joining the staff at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Dr. Smith’s goal has always been to provide the safest and most effective comprehensive treatment programs available, while offering the best in patient care and overall patient experience. Board certified in cardiovascular disease, this capable surgeon is also a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and is an RPVI Certified Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation. These certifications authenticate Dr. Smith’s special knowledge about diseases and treatments affecting blood vessels and lymph nodes.
His extensive experience in cardiovascular and venous disease enables him to perform a wide variety of specialized procedures treating varicose vein disease, including radiofrequency and endovenous laser ablations, ambulatory phlebectomy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
Ty Bell, MD
Dr. Bell earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. (Go HEELS!). He then completed his residency in family medicine in 1991 at the University of Wyoming—Casper, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Bell sought out his residency program due to its heavy emphasis on surgical and minor surgical procedures. Dr. Bell completed his training and performed operative obstetrics, gynecologic procedures, and in-office procedures such as colposcopy and vasectomy. Following residency, prior to his introduction to vein medicine, he worked as a full-time emergency physician for 13 years.
Due to Dr. Bell’s development of symptomatic varicose vein disease and undergoing the modern EVLT laser treatment himself, Dr. Bell was drawn to this new avenue of modern vein medicine in 2004. After apprenticing with one of the country’s renowned vein specialists, in 2005 he started his own vein practice. He remains as passionate today caring for vein sufferers as he did that first day in this modern vein field.
In 2008, Dr. Bell joined the first class of vein specialists to take and complete testing to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine.
Dr. Bell has a home in the Mat-Su Valley. When not working, he enjoys traveling with his wife and 2 grown children, spending time with close friends, bicycling, backpacking, fly fishing, and skiing.
Sharon Stockwell, CNP
CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER
Sharon Stockwell is an experienced Certified Nurse Practitioner who has worked with Dr. Smith for many years both in his cardiovascular and vein practices. She specializes in sclerotherapy and cosmetic procedures at VSA. Her fine attention to detail will leave you very pleased with your procedure results. At your next appointment, make sure to ask her about horses.
Shawna Mae Hall
PRACTICE MANAGER
Shawna was born and raised right here in Kenai, Alaska. Employed since the early age of 14, she worked in banking for five years before moving into healthcare at a Primary/Urgent Care Clinic where she helped to establish and manage their Multi-Specialty Clinic. Shawna’s motivation comes from seeing patients leave her office with a huge smile of satisfaction.
When not at work or traveling, Shawna enjoys the outdoors with photography, fishing and camping, and always cherishes time with friends and family. She’s grateful for the support of her husband, without which she would not be where she is today. They have two children and could not imagine life without them.
VSA has been the best, not only because Dr. Bell actually cares about his patients, but because we have an AMAZING hard-working team that cares just as much as he does.
April Wiles
CHIEF MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND CLINICAL COORDINATOR
April is the Clinical Coordinator of VSA’s Anchorage and Wasilla offices. She is Alaskan born, but spent her first eight years as a child living in Tennessee. In 1995, her parents and two brothers came back to Alaska to be closer to family.
April is a graduate from Charter College with her NCMA in 2012. She worked in pain management for three years where she helped patients in chronic pain deal with their daily struggles. April hopes to one day go back to school for nursing to help people even further.
Her son, Evan, amazes his parents daily with his intelligence and humor. She was married in August 2014 to her husband, Brian, who works on the North Slope. She enjoys spending time with her family camping, four wheeling and doing anything outdoors during the beautiful Alaskan summers.
Tiphanie Power
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR
Born and raised in Alaska, Tiphanie has been working since the age of 14. She began her career in the medical field as a PCA before moving to a multi-specialty clinic for 3 years. She met her better half in 2008 and they have four children, Addison, Paxton, Mollie and Evelyn. Tiphanie loves camping, shooting, reading and, most of all, spending time with her family. She loves helping people—it gives her satisfaction knowing that she is a contributor to improving lives.