APP Spotlight: Rochelle “Shelly” Smith, CNP

Helping gastrointestinal patients regain simple moments, like enjoying favorite foods or eating without fear, is what continues to inspire Rochelle “Shelly” Smith, CNP, Gastroenterology at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, every day.

After spending nearly a decade working in inpatient gastroenterology, she briefly stepped away before returning in 2025. Today, she works in both inpatient and outpatient gastroenterology, though most of her time is now focused on outpatient care. “In the outpatient setting, I see patients with multiple issues including diarrhea, constipation, bleeding, nausea, vomiting and difficulty swallowing,” Shelly said.

Patient care begins with understanding each individual’s story. Through detailed conversations, Shelly works closely with patients to identify the source of their concerns. “We discuss their symptoms and previous workup at length and try to identify their issues. We then use testing to further evaluate the cause of their symptoms. I then follow-up with them every few months to make sure our treatment plan is working.”

While outpatient medicine allows for long-term relationships with patients, inpatient care presents a different kind of challenge. Hospitalized patients are often dealing with more urgent and acute conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, biliary disease, inflammatory bowel disease
and colitis.

“Those patients are seen and their diagnosis is generally made,” she explained. “We then have those patients follow up at the clinic to make sure they have continuity of care and are successful in their health journey.”

After years of becoming experienced in inpatient gastroenterology, she set a personal goal of becoming equally proficient in the outpatient setting. Over the
past year, she has embraced the opportunity to follow patients’ treatments and care.

“I find both settings very rewarding. It is nice to follow-up with outpatients and see them get better. I subspecialize in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis
(inflammation, irritation or swelling of the esophagus), hepatic steatosis (buildup of extra fat in the liver) and inpatient gastroenterology,” continued Shelly.

For many patients, such as those with esophageal conditions which lead to difficulty swallowing, treatment means more than symptom relief, it means reclaiming normalcy. Behind that patient success is a strong collaborative team at Monument Health Gastroenterology.

“Our team is amazing,” Shelly said. “I worked closely with Issam Turk, M.D., who was a great mentor. I also work with Jan Purcell, APP, and Chantel Holz, APP, who I have worked with in some capacity for over 10 years.”

The collaboration extends beyond gastroenterology providers. Sharing office space with the surgical team allows for real-time discussions that help streamline patient care, particularly for individuals traveling from surrounding communities and neighboring states.

Shelly is equally quick to recognize the nursing and support staff who keep the clinic running smoothly each day.

“They are the heart of our clinic,” she said. “They are so thorough and make sure all our patients’ concerns are answered and addressed.”

Outside of medicine, family life keeps her just as busy. She and her husband, Josh, have been married for 21 years and are raising three active children; 13-year-old twins and a 10-year-old — who participate in a handful of sports.

Much of the family’s free time is spent cheering from the bleachers. They also enjoy hiking, biking, traveling and attending sporting events together. In her own personal time, Shelly enjoys reading and recently completed a half marathon this spring.

“Once their condition is identified and treated, many patients can swallow without difficulty and eat foods they have avoided their whole life. It is really rewarding to see people so happy as they are able to enjoy a meal with their family without the fear of choking,” Shelly said.

Story by Erika Bratten-Cianca
Photos by Erika Bratten-Cianca