Leah Foster Smith MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNN-NP, FNKF, FANNA, FAANP
Leah Foster Smith received her BSN & MSN-FNP from University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1996 & 2001, respectively. She is a board certified as a Family NP and Nephrology NP. She received the highest score on the CNN-NP exam in 2017. Leah is currently the Director of APPs at Metrolina Nephrology Associates, based in Charlotte, NC supervising the largest group of nephrology APPs in the country. Leah is also a fellow of AANP, ANNA and NKF. She is a clinical consultant with Clear Edge Medical Management, creator and chair of formalized CKD program managing over 30,000 CKD patients. She is the Chief Education Officer & Co-Founder for Interactive Nephrology and creating of a formalized new nephrology APP training programs entitled, Ready for Rounds & Cleared for Clinic, training more than 300 APPs from across the US since its launch in June 2020. Leah is currently holds the role of Adjust Lecturer for the UNC School of Nursing in the AGACNP Program. Leah also serves in multiple national nephrology leadership roles. She is a current Approved Provider with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She serves as the Education Chair for the NKF Council of Advanced Practice Providers, also served as Chair, Past Chair and Secretary and is the 2026 Nostradamus Award Winner. She also serves for ANNA as Director on the National ANNA BOD and has served as Past Chair of the ANNA Conferences Committee,. Leah is the APP track lead for the RPA Annual Meeting Conferences Committee and member of the ASN Workforce Training Committee. Leah has been a speaker for more than 20 years at local, state and national conferences with more than 80 podium presentations given.