Billboards honor Adriana Smith, one year after tragic medical emergency sparks debate on abortion laws

Ten billboards featuring the face of Adriana Smith are set to appear across the Atlanta area, honoring the memory of the 30-year-old registered nurse and drawing renewed attention to a case that has sparked national debate.

A year has passed since Smith, who was pregnant at the time, was rushed to the hospital with a medical emergency that left her brain dead, becoming a focal point in discussions about Georgia's abortion law and its impact on complex, life-threatening healthcare situations.

On Facebook, Smith's mom, April Newkirk, announced, "February 9th 2026 is one year of the tragic loss of my daughter, Adriana Smith. There will be 10 billboards digital place throughout Atlanta, Georgia, so people don't forget her." 

"This is a very hard time for me and my family, and I just want to say thank you for all the prayers and the messages that you have sent. Please, please vote so no one else hurts. We need changes with the laws in Georgia," she wrote. 

Newkirk has spoken out about the harrowing events that began on Feb. 9, 2025. Smith had been suffering from severe headaches and, concerned for her health and her unborn child, sought treatment at Northside Hospital. According to her family, she was given medication and sent home without undergoing further diagnostic tests.

The following morning, tragedy struck. Newkirk said Smith's boyfriend awoke to the sound of her gasping for air in her sleep—gargling noises he suspects were caused by internal bleeding. Despite efforts to help, Smith's condition proved fatal.

As the billboards go up, Smith's story continues to resonate, raising key questions about the intersection of healthcare policy, emergency care, and women's reproductive rights. 

For Smith's loved ones, the hope is that her memory will inspire change and ensure other families don't face the same heartbreak.