It’s not unusual to find a contestant on Fox’s American Idol with ties to Belmont University.  What is a bit unique is when that contestant is a graduate of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing.

Jimmy Smith received his Bachelor’s of Social Work from Belmont University in 2010 with honors.  As a student, he was inducted into the national social work honors society, Phi Alpha, received the Social Work Department’s Rising Star Award, and provided leadership and support for his peers while serving two terms as President of the Social Work Club.  With his BSW from Belmont’s accredited social work program, he gained advanced standing in the University of Tennessee’s Master of Science program in Social Work, completing his degree in just one year.  From there, he took a position with Dialysis Clinic in Lebanon, Tennessee where he works with dialysis patients coordinating care and advocating for policy that impacts patient access to service and overall quality of life.

Jimmy is also a very talented singer, songwriter, and musician. You can see him compete in this season’s American Idol.  He recently was selected from auditions in Charlotte to move on to the show’s next round in Hollywood.