Biographical Summary

Smith has 20 years of experience in healthcare management and research administration, working in academic and not-for-profit health care settings. As Chief Operating Officer for the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), she is responsible for day-to-day operating activities at the largest national organization of physician assistants, with nearly 40,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories. Her responsibilities include revenue and sales growth; expense, cost and margin control; and monthly, quarterly and annual financial goal management. Smith came to AAPA from another nonprofit, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), where she also served as COO. Before that Smith was Assistant Vice President for MedStar Research Institute - a subsidiary of MedStar Health, a hospital network of seven tertiary care hospitals. Smith, who holds both a Doctorate and a Masters in Health Administration, had previously held several other executive leadership positions with MedStar, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.