VA Maryland Health Care System

VA Maryland Health Care System Director Honored by President Among the "Best of the Best"

November 7, 2008

Dennis H. Smith, director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, was among 21 employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently honored by President Bush as one of the top civil servants in the federal government.
"Smith joins other recipients of this year's Presidential Rank Awards as the best of the best," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  "He has excelled in one of the noblest of callings, that of public servant."

The prestigious awards are presented annually to senior members of the federal civil service for "exceptional long-term accomplishments."  Winners are chosen through a rigorous selection process.  They are nominated by their agency heads, evaluated by boards of private citizens and approved by the president.  The criteria focus on leadership and results.

"I am honored to be recognized for my contributions to the VA," Smith said in response to receiving the award.  "This award also reflects the superb performance and contributions of the more than 2,600 employees who work throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System.  As always, it's a team effort."

This honor is the newest milestone in Smith's 35-year career with VA.  He joined the VA in 1973 at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC, as an administrative resident.  Since that time, he has served at various levels within the Veterans Health Administration in senior administrative positions.  Prior to being appointed as the director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, Smith was the chief of staff to the Under Secretary for Health in VA Central Office.

As chief executive officer for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Smith directs one of the largest health care delivery systems in the state.  He oversees the management and operation of the Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Centers; the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center; and the Cambridge, Glen Burnie, Fort Howard, Loch Raven and Pocomoke City VA Outpatient Clinics.  Through this integrated health care system, he is responsible for the provision of care to more than 52,000 veterans throughout Maryland, with over 9,000 inpatient admissions, 727 inpatient beds and more than 600,000 outpatient visits made annually. 

With his commitment to excellence, Smith has positioned the VA Maryland Health Care System to be a leader in veterans' health care, research and education.  Through a staff of over 2,600 professional, technical and support personnel, the health care system is able to provide comprehensive services to veterans across the state, including medical, surgical, rehabilitative, neurological, primary and mental health care on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. 

Under Smith's direction, the VA Maryland Health Care System has established one of the largest funded research and development programs in VA nationwide, including a Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, a Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence and a Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center.  As a leader who is dedicated to cultivating future health care professionals, he also has developed an active affiliation with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other local colleges and universities.  Thanks to this commitment, over 1,100 residents, interns and students from various disciplines are trained throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System each year. 

As a creative and dynamic leader, Smith has a synergistic effect on the health care system by allowing his managers to develop innovative solutions and programs to serve the needs of Maryland's veterans.  Through this management style, the VA Maryland Health Care System has the prestigious honor of being home to the world's first filmless radiology department, which allows health care professionals to have nearly instant access to patient radiology images from anywhere in the system.  In addition, Smith's outstanding leadership led the VA Maryland Health Care System to be named one of the 10 Best Places to Work in Baltimore and the five surrounding counties for 2008.

"Dennis Smith is an outstanding public servant who is truly deserving of the Presidential Rank Award," said Congressman Elijah Cummings, who represents Maryland's 7th District where three of the VA Maryland Health Care System's facilities are located.  "I am immensely proud of his achievement and his unwavering commitment to our veterans and to our country."

A native of Baltimore, Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park; Master of Business Administration from Loyola College, Baltimore, Md.; and Master of Hospital Administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.  He currently resides in Glenwood, Md.

Smith is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training.  He also served as a delegate on the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board and on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Central Maryland.