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, RPhS
CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER
Sharon Stockwell is an experienced Certified Nurse Practitioner and Registered Phlebology Sonographer 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.
For over 10 years, VSA has been an amazing place to work — not only because Dr. Bell was a fabulous boss and cares for his patients like no other — but also because Dr. Smith has seamlessly taken the helm with the same dedication. And we have a hard-working, dedicated team that cares just as much.
Whitney Owens
MEDICAL & BILLING COORDINATOR
Whitney was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula and has spent some time in the Matsu Valley working as a Client Service Representative. Whitney is very passionate about client care and strives to build a positive atmosphere for all those around her. She has set a personal goal in life to impact everyone that she meets, in a very special way, in hopes that it brings a smile and some sunshine to their day! When Whitney isn’t working, she enjoys the great outdoors and all that Alaska has to offer. She is an avid hiker who can be found scaling mountains on her days off. Her other joys are skiing, running and spending time with her family.
Tiphanie Power
BILLING & AUTHORIZATION 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.
Lexi Brenton
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR
Lexi is the Patient Scheduling Coordinator here at Vein Specialists of Alaska. Her favorite part about working with the VSA team is connecting with our patients and providing them with best experience possible. When she’s not at work, she’s spending time with family, trout fishing, snowboarding, or on some kind of outdoor adventure