Her Story
About Deborah
Deborah Smith is a registered nurse and health and wellness coach with more than four decades of nursing experience. Based in Rives Junction, Michigan, she is the owner of B Healthy B Well B in Control of Your Health, LLC, where she focuses on helping individuals overcome barriers to better health through education, lifestyle guidance, and chronic disease management. Her extensive nursing background includes emergency nursing, nursing management, medical case management, and cardiology triage, giving her a broad perspective on patient care and wellness.
Throughout her career, Deborah has worked in demanding healthcare environments, including a Level 1 trauma center emergency department in Detroit and as an RN Case Manager with Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she supported patients with complex medical conditions through disease management and care coordination. She also established a preventative care and chronic disease management office in New Mexico, providing community-based health education. Her experience has shaped her commitment to helping people become more informed and confident in managing their health.
As an entrepreneur and health coach, Deborah has developed holistic coaching programs addressing women's wellness, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, lifestyle improvement, and chronic conditions. She also provides COPD education through her social media platform, where she shares practical guidance on breathing, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and maintaining wellness. Through her work, Deborah seeks to empower people to take greater control of their health by combining evidence-based education, practical lifestyle strategies, and compassionate coaching.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my extensive nursing experience, dedication to patient care, and passion for empowering others. My background as a nurse case manager, including caring for approximately 300 patients at Blue Cross Blue Shield and working in emergency rooms and a Level I Trauma Center in Detroit, has shaped my expertise. Today, through Be Healthy, Be Well, Be in Control of Your Health LLC, I continue to make a difference by providing free COPD education and helping patients improve their overall health and wellness.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to always work in the best interest of my patients and clients. Keeping their needs, well-being, and best outcomes at the center of my work has guided me throughout my career.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is building a strong network and helping people recognize the value of health education and services, especially when cost is involved. At the same time, this creates an opportunity to build trust, educate others, and demonstrate how investing in their health can lead to better long-term outcomes.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are compassion, service, and making a meaningful impact on people’s health and well-being. I am committed to expanding my program through partnerships with insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield in Texas, to help address the significant health and financial costs associated with COPD. My goal is to educate, empower, and support patients while helping create better health outcomes.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.