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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COVID-19 cases spiked in late summer, just ahead of the rollout of a new vaccine booster. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith has more on when to get the latest COVID shot to maximize immunity as the holidays approach. -
Macey Hoover is 25-year-old trans man and a dedicated singer. He spoke about beginning the process of medically transitioning and how he’s adapting to his changing voice. -
A Jackson County Judge Thursday gave defendants more time to respond to a motion which would apply her decision to all prosecutors in the state. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith and Anna Spidel report anti-abortion protestors gathered outside Columbia’s Planned Parenthood clinic this morning before the announcement. -
Nathan Gilbert is a college student in Columbia who has borderline personality disorder, or BPD – a mental health condition that impacts a person’s ability to manage their emotions and can lead to tumultuous relationships. He spoke about his BPD diagnosis and how the condition impacts his life, but does not define him. -
As high food prices are on the minds of many Americans, the need for food assistance is as well. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith has the story of one local effort that’s working to meet this need and give dignity to people along the way. -
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Wives Laura Borghard and Kristie Douglas have a large, blended family – with four sons between the ages of 10 and 25 and a relatively new grandbaby. They’ve been married since 2020, and they spoke about the origins of their love. -
Dr. Robin Blount is the chief medical officer at Boone Health. She spoke about the importance of vaccinations – especially as people gather in large groups during the holidays.
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Last week, the Columbia City Council approved a new $71,000 contract with the state that will expand access to PrEP, a medication that can keep people from getting HIV through sexual contact or injection drug-use. -
Dr. Taylor Miller is a veterinarian and mental health professional with Not One More Vet, a group that’s working to combat the high rate of suicide in the field of veterinary medicine. Research shows that veterinarians are twice as likely as other medical professionals, and four times more likely than the general population to die by suicide.
