Dr. Leslie Smothers wants people to know two things – one, she loves Brewton; and two, don’t judge her for her pet pig.

Smothers, who joined Brewton Medical Center after Dr. Joe Terrell’s retirement, said she is thrilled to now see patients.

A resident of Jasper, Ala., Smothers graduated from Curry High School in Walker County; the University of Alabama-Birmingham and later William Carey School of Medicine. A family practice doctor, Smothers said she enjoys building relationships with her patients.

It was also a great relationship that brought her to Brewton, she said.

“Brewton chose me,” Smothers said. “It was my dream to go home and practice in Jasper, but that wasn’t in the cards. I got a flyer in the mail – one of those recruiter ones and it was from this clinic. Long story short, Tommy Shehan (BMC director) and Chris Griffin (D.W. McMillan administrator) were just awesome in this process.

“My husband and I visited, and I just fell in love with Brewton,” she said. “The more we talked about it, and the more I talked with (Shehan), it was just the right move for us.”

During the summer, Smothers worked alongside Terrell, getting to know his patients and the ins-and-outs of the medical center.

“I am so happy to be here,” she said. “I can’t speak highly enough of the people and this town.”

Smothers and her husband, Justin, have five dogs – all rescue animals – and a pet pig.

“I tell people that’s the most interesting thing about me, that I own a pet pig,” she said. “I found her on Craigslist. I didn’t set out to have a pig. She came home at five pounds. Now she weighs 80. All I can say is my husband really loves me.”

Smothers was welcomed with a reception Tuesday at the medical center. She is also accepting new patients.