Rebecca Smith
Health ReporterRebecca Smith is an award-winning reporter and producer for the KBIA Health & Wealth Desk. Born and raised outside of Rolla, Missouri, she has a passion for diving into often overlooked issues that affect the rural populations of her state – especially stories that broaden people’s perception of “rural” life. She created a conversations-based journalism project, Missouri Health Talks, in 2016 that empowers people throughout the state to share their stories of access to healthcare – in their own words.
She has degrees in both Journalism and Chemistry from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and often says health reporting is the perfect marriage of individual’s stories and reporting on science.
You can reach her at smithbecky@missouri.edu or 573-882-4824.
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New Growth Transit is based in El Dorado Springs, and it serves it’s community as a sort of neighbor-to-neighbor ride share – where community-member volunteers are reimbursed to drive folks to the doctor, work or to get groceries. -
There’s been a lot of confusion since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated COVID-19 vaccine formula late last month. Nathan Koffarnus with Missouri's Bureau of Communicable Disease spoke about the current level of COVID-19 in the state and what changes to vaccine guidelines could mean for Missourians. -
The Mizzou Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks are set to take the field on Saturday - for the first time since 2011. But as KBIA’s Rebecca Smith reports, the rivalry actually goes back nearly 200 years. -
Once a month, the senior center in Osceola offers a toenail clinic for their patrons. -
May Hall and Perrin Dowse are a polyamorous couple. They're both transgender lesbians in their 20s. They spoke about how being successfully polyamorous is built on intentional communication and trust. -
Mercy Services United is a newer initiative in Sedalia that provides a walk-in hub for social services and connection for those in need. It’s a partnership between many organizations, including the United Way of Pettis County and the ToRCH program at Bothwell Regional Health Center. -
In July, University of Missouri Extension launched a new survey — asking Missourians what they know and don’t know about alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat and other mammalian products that’s contracted through the bite of the lone star tick. -
Wives Rosie Geiser and Dottie Mathews are in both in their 70s and have been together since the 1990s. They spoke about the importance of faith in their lives and in their relationship. -
The Heckert Community Center in Sedalia opened in 2022 and offers many services to members, such as a full gym, an indoor walking track, an indoor pool, a myriad of fitness classes and more. -
KBIA's Rebecca Smith recently sat down with Dr. Megan Krohn, the new chief dental consultant for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Dental Health to speak about the status of the dental workforce in Missouri and about some of the priorities of the office.
