A man who wears many different hats at the medical center, Carl Smith, M.D., has just added one more — chief academic officer (CAO) for Nebraska Medicine.
The position was created recently when the hospital streamlined its 11-member Executive Suite headed by Dan DeBehnke, M.D., M.B.A, chief executive officer. The CAO is jointly appointed by both the dean of the College of Medicine and the CEO of Nebraska Medicine and reports directly to both.
As CAO, Dr. Smith will be responsible for representing UNMC’s employed academic physician practice, as well as its research and education components. He also will serve as liaison to the UNMC College of Medicine.
Under the new structure of the Executive Suite, two UNMC physicians will continue to serve as Nebraska Medicine vice presidents but will now report to Dr. Smith. They are Kelly Caverzagie, M.D., vice president of education, and Chris Kratochvil, M.D., vice president of research.
“This position is essential in strengthening the link with UNMC,” Dr. DeBehnke said. “Dr. Smith’s experience as senior associate dean for clinical affairs and chair of the department of OB-GYN makes him uniquely qualified for this position.
“I am truly excited to have Dr. Smith in this role — it will be very important as we strengthen our position as a leading academic health network.”
Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine, said that Dr. Smith is the right man for the job.
“Carl’s background gives him a unique understanding of every aspect of an academic medical center,” Dr. Britigan said. “I am confident that he will do a stellar job of representing UNMC’s best interests at the table.”
For the past eight years, Dr. Smith has served as president of UNMC Physicians, the physician practice group for the medical center, and as senior associate dean for clinical affairs. He has served as professor and chair of the OB-GYN department for the past 16 years and has been on the faculty for 27 years.
“I’m grateful to be asked to serve as CAO,” Dr. Smith said. “It demonstrates Nebraska Medicine’s commitment to meeting the tripartite mission of UNMC in research, education and clinical care.
“It’s important that someone from UNMC be at the table when strategic decisions are being made. The executive team meets weekly, and I am very happy that my opinion is sought and carefully considered. I’m happy to serve as a sounding board and will do my best to advocate for UNMC.”
Carl,
Congratulations! Shows how they pick talent and experience.
Carol Russell
I was lucky to have trained under his tutelage while serving as a resident at UNMC. Congratulations Dr. Smith