Global Services Team

The Global Services Division has welcomed thousands of patients from around the world seeking remote second opinions or medical care in the United States.

Our goal is to deliver a positive experience from the child’s first contact to the time they return home. The Global Services Division features a multilingual team experienced in providing world-class services to international patients and families.

Team Roles

Medical Director

Nurse Navigators

The Global Services nurse navigators are experienced nurses who oversee the coordination of your child’s medical care – decreasing anxiety, increasing your child’s satisfaction and improving communication among members of your child’s care team. A nurse navigator is instrumental in partnering with the patient care coordinators to streamline your child’s care from the hospital setting to your home.

Medical Interpreters

The Global Services medical interpreters provide medical interpretation and translation of complex medical information to patients who speak a foreign language. They ensure the complete understanding of medical information between doctors, nurses, medical staff and patients. They translate a wide range of medical information that includes medical conditions, treatment options, follow-up appointment details, billing and insurance. Our medical interpreters are the communication link between a doctor and patient, and they strive to provide a positive and relaxed experience, so patients feel comfortable disclosing sensitive information about their medical conditions.

Nurse Practitioners

Patient Care Coordinators

The Global Services patient care coordinators are multilingual staff members who work directly with patients and families on all services needed prior to arrival, during treatment and upon discharge. Our coordinators work closely with our clinical team to facilitate all aspects of your child’s care. This includes coordinating hospital admissions, outpatient appointments and procedures, as well as facilitating communication with your child’s sponsor. Patient care coordinators are certified to provide interpretation services for our patients and families. He or she will serve as your personal guide to the hospital and will work closely with you to ensure that your child and family receive the best possible service and care at Children’s National.

Finance Coordinators

The Global Services financial coordinators are responsible for managing the daily financial operations of the Global Services Division. Their scope starts at the patient registration process through billing and collections, and they regularly prepare financial reports to the department. They are responsible for creating detailed cost estimates, patient registration, direct interaction with foreign payers, international insurances and embassies.

The Global Services Division offers one main point of contact for international patients to navigate their journey at Children’s National. Our team understands the challenges of traveling abroad for medical care and we work diligently in coordinating all the clinical and logistical aspects of the visit, making sure that each patient’s cultural, linguistic and religious needs are met.

Meet Our Team

Karen Smith, MD, MEd

Languages: English

Karen Smith, MD, MEd, is the executive medical director of Global Services and professor of Pediatrics at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Smith is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hospital medicine. Her career began as an army nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. As an officer in the U.S. Army, she earned several awards including two Army Commendation and Meritorious Service Medals. Her experience in the military inspired her to attend medical school at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. After graduation she completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National and was recruited to be one of the founding members of the Division of Hospital Medicine at Children’s National.

Dr. Smith is a master teacher and a member of the Children’s Academy of Pediatric Educators. She obtained her master’s degree in education from George Washington University and was awarded the Nadler Leadership Award at graduation. Throughout her career she has held several leadership positions to include chief medical officer at The HSC Pediatric Center, chair of the District of Columbia Children with Special Healthcare Needs Advisory Board, chief of hospital medicine, and president of the medical staff at Children’s National.

Dr. Smith has held several national leadership roles within the Academic Pediatric Association, including as co-chair of the 2015 Pediatric Hospital Medicine conference. The conference is a collaboration of three pediatric societies: the American Association of Pediatrics, Society of Hospital Medicine and Academic Pediatric Association. In honor of her contributions to hospital medicine, Dr. Smith received the 2020 Excellence Award in Clinical Leadership by the Society of Hospital Medicine.

As the chief of hospital medicine, Dr. Smith established several pediatric inpatient units in community hospitals around the Washington, D.C., area and facilitated the expansion of telehealth services to these locations. Dr. Smith also served as the medical director for school telehealth and led the creation of telehealth services in over 200 Washington, D.C., public and charter schools.

In 2020, she was appointed medical director of Global Services at Children’s National where she oversaw the clinical care of all international patients. In 2025, Dr. Smith was appointed executive medical director of Global Services at Children’s National. In this role she is committed to strengthening our international partnerships and collaborations to provide all children with access to innovative medical care.

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