Jackson Native Named New Chief Medical Officer at Allegiance

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) has named Mark Smith, MD, as its new Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer (CMO). A Jackson native, Dr. Smith is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Henry Ford Allegiance Medical Group, effective September 1.

HFAH’s current Chief Medical Officer Ray King, MD, has transitioned to Jackson Health Network (JHN) and its Health Improvement Organization (HIO). Dr. King’s expertise and passion for community health and clinical integration make this an ideal fit at the right time for HFAH. Health system leaders are grateful for the way Dr. King transformed the CMO role. He leaves an indelible mark on the partnership between the medical staff and the health system.

Dr. Smith said, “I am grateful to Ray King for his leadership and the excellent foundation he established as our Chief Medical Officer. I look forward to working with our team to push the boundaries toward even higher levels of quality and safety for our patients. I am also excited by the collaborative opportunities we will continue to have to promote cooperative interaction between the health system and physicians across the region. Because I grew up in Jackson, and went to high school here, it feels like both a personal and professional responsibility to do my best for our community. I want to leave a legacy of excellence.”

Since coming to HFAH in 2008, Dr. Smith has been a passionate advocate for quality and safety, as well as exceptional patient experiences. He served as Chairman/Medical Director of the HFAH Emergency Department since 2008 and was promoted to Vice President of Operations at HFAH in 2016. He, along with Independent Emergency Physicians, has helped transform Emergency Medicine, including our verification as a Level II Trauma Center.

In addition to his work with Independent Emergency Physicians, Dr. Smith served as HFAH Chief and Vice Chief of Staff from 2012 to 2016, while also serving as a physician member on the HFAH Board of Trustees. He was reappointed to the Board of Trustees earlier this year and also serves on the Finance and System Integration committees.

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Smith will partner with medical staff leadership for clinical quality and safety, coordinate various medical groups, and serve as the senior physician leader for the Executive Council. He will play a central role in strategic planning and execution, including clinical expansion. Graduate Medical Education, Medical Staff Office, Research & Sponsored Programs, and Trauma Services will continue to report to the Chief Medical Officer, along with the Medical Staff Office and Physician Quality.

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with mission-based services to support patient care across the continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region.

About Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System (Henry Ford Health) is a six hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford Health is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. It provides health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. Henry Ford Health is a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.