Jennie Smith-Pariola

Dr. Jennie Smith-Paríolá serves as Associate Professor of Nursing at North Central College. She is also a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who provides primary and palliative care for patients with complex health needs. Her clinical practice is grounded in compassionate, whole-person, evidence-based care that supports patients and families as they navigate serious illness, manage symptoms, and enhance quality of life.

Prior to becoming a nurse, Dr. Smith-Paríolá spent many years teaching cultural anthropology. She earned her PhD in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998 and has served in a variety of academic leadership roles, including department chair, program director, and study abroad leader. 

Dr. Smith-Paríolá has also worked extensively in community and global health, particularly in Haiti, and remains actively involved in service, both locally and internationally. Integrating perspectives from anthropology, nursing, and global health, she brings a broad interdisciplinary lens to the classroom. Her teaching emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, cultural humility, and the integration of evidence into compassionate clinical practice. Her scholarly and interests include lifestyle medicine, holistic medicine, palliative care, domestic and global health equity, community health, and innovative nursing education.

Dr. Smith-Paríolá is honored to be part of the North Central College nursing faculty and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of nurses as they develop into thoughtful, compassionate, and highly skilled clinicians dedicated to serving diverse individuals, families, and communities.

Courses Taught

Various Courses in the MENP and FNP programs