Michelle R. Smith

Stay informed with Michelle R. Smith’s coverage and analysis for Fortune.

A dentist cleans the teeth of a child in the public health department’s mobile dental clinic visiting Starmount Elementary school in Charlotte, N.C., on March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)

State and local health departments that do invisible but critical work are being hollowed out by cuts

By Laura Ungar, Michelle R. Smith, and others

Pete Hegseth

Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary has a tattoo that got him flagged as a potential security threat in the military

By Tara Copp, Michelle R. Smith, and others

MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 12: Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign event “Declare Your Independence Celebration” at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on October 12, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Miami is the first stop of three that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will do in Florida with his Declare Your Independence Celebration event, announcing that he dropped his Democratic bid for president and will run as an independent candidate. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images)

RFK Jr.’s anti-vaxx campaign has left a trail of people hurt by his work: ‘It’s disturbing because he has a huge family name’

By Michelle R. Smith, Ali Swenson, and others

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

‘He’s making money off of our tragedies’: Families affected by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance speak out

By Michelle R. Smith, Ali Swenson, and others

**HOLD FOR STORY BY MICHELLE SMITH**People listen to speakers at the Chiropractic Society Health Freedom revival Sunday, Sept 19, 2021 in Oconomowoc, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

A growing number of chiropractors sow fear and mistrust in COVID-19 vaccines

By Michelle R. Smith, Mike Catalini, and others