Beth A. Smith, MD, Named Fellow in Prestigious National Executive Leadership Program

By Dawn M. Cwierley

Hosted by Drexel University College of Medicine, this highly competitive, yearlong fellowship will build upon Smith's outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing psychiatry by developing her executive leadership skills.

ELAM prepares accomplished women professors at academic health centers for senior roles across the health care landscape, from academic institutions — medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy —to hospitals and health care systems, including C-suite positions. During the program, Smith, a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, will undertake online assignments, engage in community building and lead a collaborative Institutional Action Project focused on an institutional or departmental challenge.

“We are excited to celebrate Dr. Smith’s remarkable achievements and eagerly anticipate the positive impact she will continue to make through the ELAM program,” said Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, dean of the Jacobs School and vice president for health sciences at UB, who nominated her for the program and who will serve as her sponsor. “Her contributions have consistently elevated the Jacobs School and UB, and this fellowship will further enhance her ability to drive meaningful change.”

Smith’s participation in the ELAM fellowship, will include online assignments, community-building activities and the development of an Institutional Action Project. This project, developed in collaboration with her sponsor, will address an institutional or departmental need or priority, further demonstrating her commitment to impactful leadership.

ELAM alumnae number over 1,600 and serve in leadership positions at 300 academic health centers around the world. ELAM carries on the legacy of advancing women in medicine begun by the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, the nation’s first degree-granting women’s medical school and a predecessor of Drexel University College of Medicine, where ELAM is hosted.

In a highly competitive selection process, Smith, was one of 100 ELAM fellows accepted into this year’s class. This cohort comprises exceptional leaders from 118 institutions who are capable of making critical systemic change. 

“I am deeply honored to be selected as an ELAM fellow,” said Smith. “This opportunity marks a personal milestone and a meaningful way to contribute to the future of academic medicine. I look forward to collaborating with leaders across the country, growing through the program’s curriculum, and bringing new perspectives back to Jacobs School to help strengthen our culture of collaboration, excellence and innovation.”

Smith’s career reflects her dedication, extensive expertise and continuous advancement in the fields of psychiatry. Her clinical work is distinguished by her focus on the mental health of children and adolescents with comorbid medical conditions, particularly cystic fibrosis (CF). Her expertise in this area has driven significant advancements in research and clinical practices.

She has been instrumental in integrating mental health screening and treatment into routine CF care, leading national and international initiatives to improve the well-being of individuals with CF. Smith’s leadership in this field is further evidenced by her role as principal investigator on major research projects, including a $3 million grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Beyond her role at the Jacobs School, she holds several key positions within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. She serves as president of UBMD Psychiatry, chief of Behavioral Health for Kaleida Health, and medical director for the Children’s Psychiatry Clinic at Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Smith’s selection as an ELAM fellow highlights her exceptional leadership and dedication to psychiatry. Her participation in the program will bring valuable insights and innovations to the Jacobs School and the broader medical community.