A native of SC, Smythe received his medical degree from MUSC in Charleston. His residency in otolaryngology was at the University of TN in Memphis. He then completed a fellowship in Facial Plastics at the Park Central Institute in St Louis.

He started private practice in Columbia, SC in 1990. He helped lead the effort to form the Palmetto Surgery Center and serves as Chair of the Northeast Surgery Center Board.

Giving resident lectures at the teaching hospital in the various training programs over the years then led to an appointment as teaching faculty of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with the University of SC School of Medicine.

He maintains board certification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has had the opportunity to work with several organizations on medical mission trips to Africa, Turkey, and Central America.